A recent Patch post reminded me that the Jan/Feb Decatur Focus announced the benefactors of this year’s Decatur Beer Festival grants.  According to the Focus, since 1998 the festival has given more than $550,000 back to the community.  Here are this year’s winners via the Focus…

Decatur’s MLK Service Project – to assist low-income senior homeowners with home maintenance and repair.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta – to support Power Hour, a comprehensive education and tutoring program.

I CARE – to provide transportation services to Decatur senior residents for doctor, hospital, and pharmacy appointments.

Decatur-area Emergency Assistance Ministry – to computerize the office for ability to do business with other organizations such as Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Poverty is Real – to coordinate efforts with musicians and businesses to help raise money for local organizations addressing poverty and homelessness.

Decatur Education Foundation – to support the start of a microfinance program that will make loans to students for entrepreneurial projects.

Our House – to support the Early Childhood Education program.

Wylde Center – for a solar pump with water reclamation system to bring water to the garden.

The Global Village School – to provide transportation to school and related educational and volunteer resources in Decatur.

On the Same Page – for supplies for each child in the reading program.

Housing Authority of Decatur – for the STAR after-school program.

DeKalb History Center – to create an Exhibits Design workshop.

Literacy Volunteers of Atlanta – to provide instruction to the adults in the Family Literacy Program.

Ahimsa House – to provide shelter and vet care for pets while their owners stay at family violence shelters.

Woodlands Garden – to help plant 50 trees in Woodlands Garden.

Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool – to replace a chain link fence on the property.

DeKalb Rape Crisis Center – to provide four months of Crisis Line answering service costs.