The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork has awarded seven High Impact Community Outreach grants to East End nonprofit organizations, totaling $41,175.
The grants came from a bequest from the late Paul Berman, who was a member of the congregation.
The Butterfly Effect Project received money to help build a community garden at the First Baptist Church in Riverhead. The East End Birth Network, in an effort to combat infant mortality, will use its grant to set up a pantry system stocked with baby-care items that parents can pick up for free.
Another grant supports a partnership between the East End Food Institute and the Padoquohan Medicine Lodge, in which 25 families of the Shinnecock Indian Nation will receive packages of food for 10 weeks. The lodge also received a grant to help elderly residents with home repairs, and the Shinnecock Nation received a grant to boost internet connectivity on the reservation.
East Hampton Meals on Wheels and Organizacion Latino-Americana of Eastern Long Island also received grants.
"We look forward to partnering with each of these dedicated institutions to provide the community with the much-needed services that are outlined in each of their projects," said Michael F. Daly, board president of the Unitarian Universalist congregation. "We welcome the opportunity to continue our partnerships next year with other East End nonprofits."