Green Bay Packers Foundation grants focus on poverty
By Patti Zarling pzarling@greenbaypressgazette.com February 23, 2010

In light of the slow economy, the Green Bay Packers Foundation gave special attention to issues of poverty and homelessness when earmarking its annual grants, a foundation leader said Monday.

The foundation awarded $176,534 to 62 civic and charitable groups throughout Wisconsin.

The groups were guests at a special luncheon at Lambeau Field.

"With what happened with our economy, it really created a lot of tough times for people," said Casey Cuene, chairman of the foundation committee. "We looked at homelessness, food pantries and poverty with all the layoffs and things going on, we know it impacted a lot of people."

Each year, the foundation grants awards of up to $5,000 to groups throughout the state. About $104,000 of this year's total was given to 24 organizations in Brown County. The balance went to 38 other groups around the state.

The foundation received 180 grant requests, he said.

Tom Martin, president and CEO of Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin Inc., said the nonprofit will use its grant to help fund a program intended to raise awareness about abuse. Family Services is planning a new Child Advocacy Center in Green Bay that would centralize services for abused children.

"Child abuse is a growing problem in our community," Martin said at Monday's event.

Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said the grants are a way for the team to give back to the community.

"We're really pleased to be able to do this," he said.

Including this year's grants, the foundation has distributed more than $2 million since it was established in 1986, according to the Packers.

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