Since 2014, the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild (FMGG) has raised more than 42 tons of fresh produce for donation to food pantries and soup kitchens in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area. With the Lowe's Hometowns grant, FMGG will install a permanent heating system in the Franciscan Monastery's 1915, cast-iron-and-glass greenhouse. This renovation will allow FMGG to grow produce year-round to help provide nutritious vegetables for those experiencing food insecurity in our community.

With a mission of breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty for families and children, ForKids has been empowering families to overcome the complex challenges of homelessness since 1988 and each year impacts hundreds of families and children through crisis response, housing solutions, and academic and social-emotional enrichment for school-age children and youth. Lowe’s Hometowns funding will allow ForKids to renovate an existing space into a dedicated and vibrant Teen Zone to house our after-school Teen Program in a place of their own.

Five Keys Schools and Programs is a nonprofit dedicated to providing education, workforce training, reentry support, and transitional and permanent supportive housing for individuals impacted by incarceration and homelessness. With the Lowe’s Hometowns grant, the organization will revitalize our Oakland community space by installing new flooring, fresh paint, updated carpeting, and modern furnishings to create a more functional and welcoming environment.

The mission of the First Responders Foundation is to serve and honor all our First Responders, veterans and their families; build appreciation and respect for their work; and enhance public safety. Lowe’s Hometowns Grant funds will be used to make needed basic repairs and upgrades to the Physical Wellness area of the First Responders Foundation headquarters. 

Feeding South Florida (FSF) will renovate and expand the food storage and sort room at its main distribution center, doubling its capacity to rescue and distribute nutritious food. This critical upgrade will increase the number of people served through FSF’s Client Choice Pantry from 150,000 to 300,000 and potentially expand distribution across all programs from 1.2 million to 2.4 million individuals. Volunteer engagement is expected to grow from 31,000 to 44,000 annually.

Family and Community Service of Delaware County (FCSDC) has proudly served vulnerable residents of the county for over 100 years with programs that address homelessness, medical care access, and mental health. With the Lowe's Hometown Grant, FCSDC will make renovations to our Ralph Moses House transitional housing facility in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Ester Volunteer Fire Department has provided emergency fire, medical and rescue response to the Ester Fire Service Area and the Fairbanks North Star Borough for over 50 years. The funding received from the Lowe's Hometown grant will allow EVFD to replace essential exterior storage space, upgrade flooring in the training room and refresh the paint and furnishings in the kitchen. These renovations will improve the functionality and comfort of EVFD's Station 51, promoting the well-being and efficacy of its first responders.

EmpowerEd is a nonprofit creative learning community that provides an exceptional educational environment where all are encouraged to be responsible, resilient, compassionate, and connected. With the Lowe’s Hometowns grant, the organization will build new safe and interactive playground structures in the courtyard area.

Ekar Farm and Community Gardens is a communal urban farm created to build community, provide experiential and environmental education, and grow sustainably produced fruits and vegetables, expanding access to those in need. With support from Lowe’s Hometowns, the organization will install fencing, raised garden beds, an irrigation system, shade structures, a produce wash station, and pathways to create a fully functional and welcoming farm space. 

The Division of Indian Work’s (DIW) mission is to support and strengthen urban American Indian people through culturally-based education, traditional healing approaches, and leadership development. With the Lowe’s Hometowns grant, DIW would install a waterproofing system and repair water damage to our Dakotah Lodge, an urban American Indian gathering space for over 30 years. These renovations will allow DIW to continue to offer this community asset and safe space to urban American Indian families, program participants and partners.