Assistance League Chesapeake received a $1,000 grant for its emergency kits program from the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County.

Bess Langbein, executive director of the foundation, and several members of the grantmaking committee of the foundation's board presented the check and learned more about the program during a kit packing session in March.

The emergency kits program, run by Assistance League in cooperation with Partners In Care Inc., distributes emergency supplies to homebound individuals in the county.

With local health providers’ budgets strained by the current economy, two local foundations are teaming up to help keep Cambridge residents healthy. Tufts Health Plan Foundation and Cambridge Community Foundation joined forces to make $17,000 in grants this week for local health projects.

The Tufts Health Plan Foundation’s mission is to promote healthy lifestyles and the delivery of quality care in its communities. The Tufts Health Plan Foundation is focusing on healthy aging to help meet the challenges of an aging society. The Cambridge Community Foundation supports a range of agencies that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents of all ages and backgrounds. CCF has a rich history of bringing people and institutions together to meet the challenges of changing community needs.

A $50,000 grant was awarded to Florida Tech from the Community Foundation of Brevard’s Kenneth R. Finken and Dorothy Hallam Finken Endowment Fund for research into the cause and cure of Alzheimer’s disease.

The lead Florida Tech researcher is Dr. Shaohua Xu, associate professor of biological sciences, who is already studying the origin of Alzheimer’s disease, using atomic force microscopy to test his unique theory.

The Madison Community Foundation is sponsoring three years of access to Community Cars fleet of hybrid and high-mileage vehicles.

Independent Living can now take the $5,000 a year it had spent on vehicle-related expenses and keep prices low for its Meals on Wheels clients, usually elderly residents, said Rita Giovannoni, Independent Living CEO.

After the three years of foundation sponsorship, Independent Living could continue with Community Car on its own at 50 percent of what they spent on transportation before the Madison Community Foundation suggested a partnership with Community Car, a Madison-based car sharing organization.

To encourage interest in volunteering for Independent Living and Meals on Wheels, Community Car is waiving its application fee for Independent Living volunteers.