Stark family fund grants help organizations through pandemic

Bloomfield’s Stark sisters and spouses.

Prince Edward County charities will soon benefit from the Stark Family Fund to address critical supports in the community.

The Community Foundation for Kingston & Area (CKFA), which holds the Stark Family Fund, granted $23,000 to four local charities.

The Stark fund was created in 2002 with a $1.2 million gift from the last two surviving members of the Stark family – Ival and Ruth. The five sisters also include Leata, Keitha and Sylvia. They were lifelong residents of Bloomfield and without heirs, decided to establish an endowment fund supporting the family’s strong sense of civic responsibility especially in the areas of education, health, social sciences, animal welfare and culture, in Prince Edward County.

Charities receiving grants are:
The Food Depot, operating out of the Picton Town Hall, will receive $12,500 to provide residents with non-perishable items, fresh produce and grocery cards.

The Wellington Storehouse Foodbank receives $7,500 to support provision of hot meals for seniors in the County.

The Loyalist Humane Society receives $1,500 to support community programs in animal welfare. The Quinte Humane Society also receives $1,500.

“We were pleased to have the opportunity to support these organizations at this challenging time,” noted Linda and Tim Beatty, local Stark Family Fund representatives. “The grants are being awarded in several fields of interest to the Stark Family, reflecting the wide range of needs that are being demonstrated because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

This funding is in addition to the $10,750 granted earlier in 2020 to provide scholarships and bursaries through the Rotary Club to Prince Edward County Collegiate students pursuing post secondary studies.

Plans for granting from the Stark Family Fund in 2021 will be announced in the coming months.