James M. Cox Foundation Donates $25,000 each to Catholic Charities and Interfaith Emergency Services

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Cox Communications is working to help feed families in Central Florida through Catholic Charities in Gainesville and Interfaith Emergency Services in Ocala, with a pair of $25,000 donations from The James M. Cox Foundation. The grants will support local families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic has caused economic strain for so many in our community, and we’ve been impressed with how our local food banks and charities are taking care of the most vulnerable among us,” said Aimee Pfannenstiel, vice president for the Cox Central Florida market. “We are proud to support these two great organizations in their mission to ensure none of our friends and neighbors in Central Florida go without food and other essential services.”

The grant announcements were made to both Catholic Charities and Interfaith Emergency Services via Zoom this morning.

Catholic Charities was nominated through TV20, which recently hosted a virtual telethon to raise money for the charity. ““We deeply appreciate the work of Catholic Charities to support our most vulnerable neighbors,” Pfannenstiel said.

John Barli, Regional Director of Catholic Charities, said many of the people they are currently helping have never asked for help before: “This thing isn’t over yet; things are opening up right now, but people still aren’t back to work, and they’re two and three months behind on rent and utilities already. How do you catch up with that?”

Laurie Porter, Development Coordinator of Catholic Charities, said, “This is incredible… You have no idea, the lives you are touching and the people you are affecting… so thank you.”

Karla Grimsley, Chief Executive Officer of Interfaith Emergency Services, said “This is an incredible gift right now… We are going to turn this money around and help people… God bless Cox Cable.”

The James M. Cox Foundation is the charitable arm of Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Communications. In response to the growing strain on feeding the community, the foundation announced a $50,000 donation to support people in need where Cox employees live and work.