MVA awards first mini-grant
The Mon Valley Alliance (MVA) awarded the first Town to Town mini-grant to the Bag Brigade, which provides meals to 195 students in the Belle Vernon School District.
The Town to Town mini-grant is a new program of MVA’s Community Development Fund that supports projects from educational institutions and schools, religious organizations, municipal organizations, parks and recreation and any other group with a main purpose to benefit quality of life in the Mon Valley. The areas of focus within the mini-grant program include parks and recreation, arts and culture, children, youth and elderly, health and fitness and community improvement.
“On behalf of MVA, I am proud to award the first Town to Town mini-grant to the Bag Brigade,” said Christopher Whitlatch, CEO of MVA. “It is easy to see the impact on the community the organization is making and it is also encouraging to see how the community is also stepping up with food and monetary donations to help the Mon Valley’s future leaders thrive.”
The mini-grant award is $250 and will be awarded monthly through the end of the year to a different organization through a rolling application process. MVA is looking for corporate sponsors to contribute to the Community Development Fund to extend the program into 2019, and possibly increase the grant awards. MVA is currently directing proceeds from its Mon Valley-Opoly game to support the grants. The game is available online at www.monvalleyalliance.com or at local locations.
The Bag Brigade is a volunteer project managed by Kathy Kelly and Ashley Eisengart.
“We began with one school and it grew from there,” said Kelly. “We are thankful for this grant as we are beginning a new school year. Monetary donations help us supplement our food donations and provide fresh produce as part of the bags of food.”
The Bag Brigade accepts donations of single-size portions of various food items at the Gospel Alliance Church at 1011 Fells Church Road, Belle Vernon, as well as other locations throughout the school district. More information is available by calling 724-823-0453.