Seven organizations that serve residents in Port Moody are getting a financial boost from the city’s community grant program.
The groups are dividing $18,547 of the program’s annual allotment of $20,000 to be used for various projects including:
- Crossroads Hospice Society: $3,000 for costs related to food, cleaning supplies and programs
- Immigrant Link Centre Society: $3,000 to cover fuel costs to collect and distribute food to families in need
- Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland: $3,000 to fund its Go Girls! after-school program
- PoCoMo Meals on Wheels Society: $2,800 to offset the cost of meals to keep them affordable to clients
- 1st Glenayre Scouts: $2,747 to buy tents, propane tanks and portable fire pits
- Community Ventures Society: $2,500 to fund its evening programs for people with developmental disabilities
- Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society: $1,500 to reimburse volunteer drivers for vehicle expenses
The recipients were chosen by members of Port Moody’s citizens advisory group that considered 20 applications on criteria as such
- their demonstrated need
- how much the grant would promote quality of life for the city’s residents
- the degree the funding will be used in the community
- the availability of other sources of funding like corporate sponsorships
- how the program fosters community spirit
Coun. Amy Lubik praised all the applicants for their proposals, while Coun. Zoe Royer said she wished the city could spend more money on the program.
But Coun. Diana Dilworth said it shouldn’t be the city’s responsibility to spend taxpayers’ money on community organizations, especially when council is considering a significant boost to property taxes.
“If I feel there is a need in the community, I will donate personally,” she said.
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