Northwest Farm Credit Services gives $3,000 to help enhance community's food pantry
Representatives from the Northwest Farm Credit Services presented Mable Dunbar a check of $3,000 to help go towards Cleone's Food Pantry in Airway Heights.
On Nov. 17, Cleone's Closet Food Pantry in Airway Heights received a grant for $3,000 from the Northwest Farm Credit Services (FCS). Some representatives from the organization came to present the check to the organizer of Cleone's Closet, Mable Dunbar.
According to their website, the purpose of Northwest FCS is to look for creative and collaborative approaches to addressing challenges and opportunities in rural communities. This program provides grants to non-profit organizations for projects that improve rural communities within Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.
This includes efforts such as building or improving facilities; purchasing necessary equipment to facilitate a program and funding capital improvements which enhance a community's infrastructure, viability and/or prosperity.
The requirements to receive a grant include an online application, a letter of involvement or support written by a Northwest FCS customer, financial backing from other sources and if the organization is chosen, a W-9 or IRS determination letter must be submitted.
Money given ranges from $500 – $5,000.
"The Rural Community Grant Program started in 2007," Heidi Whitman, the manager of events and public relations said in an email. "Since the program's inception, Northwest Farm Credit Services has awarded 805 grants totaling over $1.4 million. There are three rural grant cycles throughout the year. Feb.1, June 1 and Oct. 1 are the deadlines. Each cycle varies but we typically receive between 60-80 grant applications per cycle."
The food pantry has been open since October and has already impacted the community. Most recently, there were about 30 turkeys donated for the upcoming holiday.
"We haven't had to throw any food away because everything is getting taken," Dunbar said. "The word that we are open has definitely spread around town."
Cleone's Closet is located at 13114 W. Sunset Hwy. It is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon – 3 p.m.
Grace Pohl can be reached at grace@cheneyfreepress.com.
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