Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac Rotary Club continues to find ways to support its community.

A $2,000 check from the Rotary District 6360 Foundation was presented to the club during its weekly meeting Thursday afternoon at Wood Fire Trattoria.

The club will donate the funds to A.C.T.I.O.N. Ministries of Dowagiac, a charity organization that aims to feed the hungry in Dowagiac by buying and distributing food to those in need.

“That was the best possible start to get off to,” said Dowagiac Rotary Club President Bob Cochrane, who hosted his first meeting as acting president on Thursday. “To walk in and pick up a nice grant like that on the first day of the job was exciting. I’m glad we can be one of the clubs selected to provide some additional foods for people who’ve been affected by the virus.”

In addition to the donation, the Rotary club and its Interact affiliate will collaborate with A.C.T.I.O.N. and community outreach group The Stepping Stone to help distribute food to the community.

Interact is a service club for both middle and high school students who want to connect with each other while serving their communities. The Rotary club mentors Interactors as they carry out the projects and develop leadership skills.

“We’re looking forward to coordinating with Interact on this project,” said Rotarian Barbara Groner. “They’ll be giving us some hands-on help when it comes to delivering food through the A.C.T.I.O.N. Center. I think you’ll be impressed with it.”

The grant has been in the works since April, according to District 6360 Foundation Assistant Treasurer Karl Kincade, who was on hand to present the check to the club. The 6360 Foundation donated $3,000 to the Dowagiac Rotary Club last year, with those funds going toward the construction of two “Welcome to Dowagiac” signs with the Dowagiac Rotary Club emblem.

“The district foundation has raised money over the years,” Kincade said. “We have a certain amount of funds that we give out on an annual basis. We looked at problems we’re having economically because of COVID-19 and one of the big problems is that people don’t have enough food. We dug into our piggy bank, so to speak. This money was there for an emergency, and if ever there was an emergency, this is one.

“Hopefully, by giving dollars back to the clubs, they can help their communities where they need it the most.”