Ralph J. Torraco Food Bank/Shelter Fund

Ralph J. Torraco Food Bank/Shelter Fund is sponsored by UNICO Foundation Inc.. Supports food and shelter services, with funds to be used entirely for direct basic needs for low-income or otherwise vulnerable people in the U.

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Foundation | UNICO National The UNICO Foundation Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation. This classification by the IRS allows various contributions to the Foundation to be tax-deductible. The Foundation was incorporated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1962.

The purpose of the Foundation shall be to receive, accept and make gifts, donations, grants, awards, scholarships, fellowships, and the like, for charitable, scientific, educational, literary and religious purposes. Every member of UNICO National is also a member of the Foundation. Scholarships are our number one project.

Each year the Foundation grants over 40 scholarships. For a listing of our scholarships please visit the Scholarship page . 2026 - 2027 Foundation Committee 2025 UNICO Foundation Annual Report Grants are due February 12 & June 12 ** Italian Studies & Heritage due March 31 The UNICO Foundation makes substantial grants to: Mental Health Organizations Italian Studies & Heritage ** To obtain a paper grant application, please click here .

For the NEW** Italian Heritage Grant Application, please click here . The Foundation also offers specific grants for Cancer Research & Prevention and Food Bank/Shelter. Cancer Research & Prevention Grant With cancer touching so many lives, cancer research and prevention continues to be one of UNICO’s major charitable endeavors.

Over the years a number of research projects have been supported for varying types of cancer, such as Hodgkin’s Disease, Colon Cancer, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer and more. Please click here for the Cancer Research & Prevention Paper Grant Application and Instructions. Ralph J.

Torraco Food Bank/Shelter Fund Grant The Ralph Torraco Food Bank/Shelters Fund is administered by the UNICO Foundation. Funds are available to community established programs that provide food and shelter to those in need.

Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens and Shelters that are registered IRS approved non-profit organizations and are located in and associated with a UNICO Chapter or UNICO member domiciled in one of the following states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, or Wisconsin are eligible to apply.

Additional qualifications for eligibility include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. 100% of grant funds are to be used for direct services (food, shelter, basic needs, etc.). Funds may not be used for salaries or general operating expenses.

2. The requesting organizations should be registered to do business in their state and shall meet all local and state health department regulations. 3.

Program operations should not be located in a private home. 4. The requesting organization and the program must provide services in the United States.

5. Organization and project budgets not to exceed Amounts specified on Application. 6.

Applicants should display a proven record of providing services to the most vulnerable population (low-income, elderly, disabled, etc.) 7. Returning applicants are eligible to apply once every 2 years. Please Click here for a Food/Shelter Grant ONLINE Application.

​ Please Click here for a Food/Shelter Grant PAPER Application. Contact Mike Rescigno, Torraco Food Bank & Shelter Chair at mike. rescigno@comcast.

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