Nonprofit raises over $317,000 to help women and children struggling with poverty

A local nonprofit raised over $317,000 in donations, and the grant money will go to 17 local programs, including child care nutrition programs, emergency foster care and women’s educational assistance.

The nonprofit, Women Helping Women Fund, gathered 1,650 people at an event on Tuesday aimed at gathering the funds, according to a news release. The guest speaker, Dr. Tererai Trent, a scholar and humanitarian, has been featured on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

The programs will receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $29,500. Some of the recipients are The Salvation Army, Northeast Youth Center, Women & Children’s Free Restaurant & Community Kitchen, and Young Life.

The Women Helping Women Fund started in 1992 to raise awareness about the plight of women and children living in poverty in Spokane. It has raised over $5 million and given over 470 grants, according to a news release.