Officials with broadband connectivity company and cable operator Spectrum this month announced donations totaling $15,000 to five area organizations in Northeast Ohio through its Spectrum Employee Community Grants program.

The grants were awarded to:

•Marlboro Women's Club, Hartville: $5,000. The Marlboro Women's Club is a non-profit service-oriented organization, helping residents of Marlboro Township, as well as neighboring communities. The funds will enable the organization to provide food, hygiene products, and clothing to farmers, those experiencing homelessness, disabled people, and veterans most in need in the community.

•Manna Food From Heaven Ministries, South Euclid: $2,500. Manna Food From Heaven’s mission is to provide hot, home cooked, well-balanced meals to the homeless and the hungry in the community. The funds will enable the organization to purchase, prepare, and distribute healthy, home cooked meals, as well as provide upkeep of its van used for transporting.

•Barberton Area Community Ministries, Barberton: $2,500. Barberton Area Community Ministries provides counseling for Veterans with PTSD, assistance filling out applications for veteran benefits, and delivers food boxes to senior citizens. These funds will help finish the remodeling of the facility’s interior.

Julie Johnson, middle, with the Hunger Network, receives a check from Spectrum's Mike Chase and Renee Copfer,.•Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland: $2,500. Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland helps low-income individuals and families facing food insecurity. The funds will be used to address pervasive food insecurity and offer healthy nutritious food alternatives to improve the general health of those who struggle with chronic diseases.

•Jackson Bear Hugs, Massillon: $2,500. Jackson Bear Hugs is a non-profit organization that collects and sorts furniture, household items, and clothing, and then distributes the donations to those in need in the community. The funds will be used to provide low-income students with attire for high school events, such as prom and homecoming.

Spectrum officials announced the grants to these five local organizations on Wednesday, March 19, stressing the organization’s national focus on meeting the needs of the community through food pantries, free clothing, and household items—offering support and guidance while providing and delivering meals and fostering hope, social engagement, and empowerment, those involved say.

“Through Spectrum Employee Community Grants, we’re proud to provide support to vital community organizations with which our local employees are already volunteering their time and talent,” area vice president of field operations Chuck Sullivan, said in a statement. “Together, we’re building stronger communities where our customers and employees live and work across America.”

Spectrum Employee Community Grants has provided funding to nearly 500 local nonprofits in 34 states throughout the company’s service area since its inception in July 2019.

The grant recipients deliver critical social services, helping underserved residents meet basic needs, including food, shelter, clothing, job training and neighborhood safety.

Each awardee is nominated by one of the company’s 100,000 U.S. employees who has volunteered with the organization for at least one year.