HANOVER, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Rice Family Foundation, founded in 2017 by Mike and Jane Rice of Utz Quality Foods, LLC, announced today it awarded grant funds to thirty-three local area nonprofit organizations.

The Rice Family Foundation supports eligible, local nonprofits in the greater Hanover, Pennsylvania and surrounding communities who dedicate their time, efforts, and resources to foster a better community. Grant funds are supported by commitments made by the Rice family.

After careful review of this year’s applications, The Rice Family Foundation selected recipients based on those exceptional organizations and their various initiatives which benefit so many people in the community.

The recipients have varying missions, from True North Wellness, a behavioral health and wellness care agency, to Junior Achievements of South-Central PA, an organization dedicated to helping young people prepare for the real world, to Thrive Ministry, helping to empower victims of domestic violence.

One organization, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, is committed to transforming the lives of people affected by muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases through innovations in science and care. Additionally, MDA also offers a range of support programs, such as summer camps for children between the ages of 8 – 17 years old, focused on independence, enjoying a new atmosphere and making life-long friends. “We thank The Rice Family Foundation for their generosity,” said Miles Fishel, Development Coordinator, Muscular Dystrophy Association. “With our focus on forty-three neuromuscular diseases, this grant helps to support cutting-edge research with the aim of creating new innovations to provide more mobility, care and hope to those afflicted.”

Another organization, the YWCA Hanover is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering woman and promoting peace. The YWCA offers a range of free counseling and other services including Safe Home, 24/7 services to support victims and survivors of domestic violence. “Domestic violence is a serious matter in our area and impacts men, woman and children,” said Jody Shaffer, Executive Director, the YWCA Hanover. “This helps us to further raise awareness and supports our curriculum of supportive and preventive services as we strive to end the family cycle of domestic violence.”

The thirty-three nonprofit organizations represent just some of the many organizations who work to make Hanover and surrounding communities an even better place to live. “As we worked through this year’s applications, we were inspired and grateful to the many nonprofits who care so deeply and work so hard for our community,” said Jane Rice, Co-Founder, The Rice Family Foundation. “Their work aligns well with the mission of The Rice Family Foundation, which emphasizes education, health and the well-being of the greater Hanover, Pennsylvania community.”

For more information, please visit The Rice Family Foundation website at www.thericefamilyfoundation.com, or contact: ricefamilyfoundation@gmail.com.

About The Rice Family Foundation

The Rice Family Foundation, located in Hanover, Pennsylvania, funds eligible local area non-profits who are focused on education, health and the well-being of families in the greater Hanover, Pennsylvania area. The Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, provides financial grants directly to eligible organizations.

For more information, visit The Rice Family Foundation website at: www.thericefamilyfoundation.com.