The Bethlehem-based Helen & R. K. Laros Foundation, established in 1952 by Laros Silk Company Founder and Owner R. K. Laros and his wife Helen, has announced the annual award of grants for grant year 2023 to eight local nonprofit organizations.

The Foundation Chair R. K. Laros III and Vice Chair Laura Bennett Shelton and Foundation trustees gathered with this year’s recipients at a virtual event Jan. 24 to recognize this years recipients and the 2024 Founders Award.

Grants totaling $142,136 were approved by the board of trustees of the Helen & R. K. Laros Foundation at its annual board meeting Nov. 10, 2023, and were awarded to the following nonprofit organizations:

Bethlehem Area Public Library; a $20,000 grant to complete the “Huddle Rooms” as part of the library’s recent renovations; Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering $10,000 for 2023-24 operating support and honoring Executive Director Bob Rapp with the Founders Award; Bloom for Women $16,300 to complete the replacement of windows in their Bethlehem Shelter; City of Bethlehem $15,000 to support the Friendship Park splash pad as part of the “Northside Alive” initiative; Fountain Hill Food Pantry $336 for personal shopping bags; New Bethany Ministries $20,000 for the updates and renovations of the “Choice Food Pantry;” Pennsylvania Playhouse $20,000 for accessibility renovations; Valley Youth House $20,000 for a kitchen renovation at the Eighth Street Shelter; Northampton Community College $500 in gratitude for hosting the 2023 Foundation annual meeting; YMCA of Bethlehem $20,000 for Phase III of the Child Care Center.

Since 1952 the Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation has provided grant support with a focus on enduring capital projects that will have significant community impact in the Bethlehem Area. The Foundation has distributed $9 million in support to over 150 organizations. For more information about grant opportunities or the Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation contact Executive Director Sharon Jones Zondag at larosfoundation.org.

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