Lawrenceburg, Ind., December 6, 2007 – An endowment fund recently was established at the Dearborn Community Foundation Inc. (DCF) to support North Dearborn Pantry Inc.’s efforts to improve the lives of those in need.

The endowment fund, established by Luree Ketcham of Bright, will provide funds to support the North Dearborn Pantry’s relief programs for Northern Dearborn County’s poor, distressed and underprivileged residents living in Miller, Jackson, Harrison, Kelso, Logan and York townships.

“The pantry is made up of volunteers that provide relief to those in need through supporting funds from local churches and others in the community,” said Ketcham, a member of the DCF Board of Directors. “The establishment of the endowment provides a way for contributors to support the pantry in perpetuity. It’s an honor to help make a difference for such a fine organization that does so much in our community.”

Ketcham said her hope is that members of the community will also make contributions to the new endowment to ensure there are funds to support the organization far into the future.

Mike deLong, President of North Dearborn Pantry said the organization is “certainly grateful” for the new endowment established by Ketcham. “We are very enthusiastic and proud about what we do in the community and this endowment will help us fulfill our mission in perpetuity,” he said.

Fred McCarter, Executive Director of DCF, said the new endowment is a perfect example of how members of the Dearborn County community can utilize the Foundation to create permanent support for causes that are near and dear to their hearts. “It’s easy to envision current and future supporters of the North Dearborn Pantry making contributions to the endowment as memorials to loved ones or as tributes to friends or family members at Christmastime or on a birthday,” he said. “Luree Ketcham’s generous contribution and subsequent contributions by others to this new endowment fund will make a difference in our community today and far into the future.”

The North Dearborn Pantry, located at 2517 North Dearborn Road, West Harrison, has provided services to those in need for many years. The organization’s had its beginning roots in a program established in 1962, when newly-elected Logan Township Trustee, Ann Jeffries, established an outreach program supporting families in need from the basement of her residence.

In 2005, the program’s concept moved into a highly supported community volunteer program, when operations moved into its current location, space donated by Dearborn Hills United Methodist Church. The program then informally operated under the guidance of an ecumenical committee with representatives from seven local churches. Then, in November 2006, the organization established itself as the North Dearborn Pantry Inc. and applied for and later received a 501 (c) (3) exemption with the Internal Revenue Service.

Donations to the North Dearborn Pantry Fund can be made at the Dearborn Community Foundation office, located at 204 Short Street in Lawrenceburg. Checks should be written to the Dearborn Community Foundation with the North Dearborn Pantry Fund listed on the memo line or the check should be accompanied by a letter noting the contribution is for the North Dearborn Pantry Fund.

Contributions can be mailed to: Dearborn Community Foundation, Inc. 204 Short Street, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025. The Foundation phone number is 812-539-4115.

#######