Submitted
The fall 2024 grant cycle from the Wenger Marel Charitable Fund is complete and three area nonprofits have been awarded grants. This grant program is a fund of The Greater Sabetha Community Foundation (GSCF) and online applications can be made at www.sabethafoundation.org. The spring 2025 application cycle is currently open and will close April 1, 2025. More information about the application qualifications can be found on the website.
Brown County Humane Society Kennel Expansion (Full Award $25,500)
The Brown County Humane Society aims to create a more conducive environment for animals awaiting adoption, enhancing their capacity to serve the community and find loving homes for animals. They are planning to expand their building infrastructure to better serve the needs of both the animals in their care and the community they serve. The kennel expansion and improvement project undertaken by the Brown County Humane Society represents a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to improve animal welfare within the community. By investing in this project, they can create a more compassionate and sustainable future for both animals and humans alike. The room itself is approximately 1,200 square feet, and will allow for nine more indoor/outdoor kennel spaces at the shelter. So far, they have been able to develop the concrete floor, water lines, septic, removal of overhead, wall repair, bunk forms, kennel walls and guillotine doors. In order to complete this project, they are requesting grant dollars to finalize the heating/cooling, electrical, plumbing and concrete. They will also purchase a few items such as a sink and chain-link panels to enclose the bunks.
Northridge Family Development Center STEAM Enhancement (Full Award $32,000)
The goal is to provide extra enrichment activities to the children in their care, to enhance their development and introduce them to new skills and experiences. It will also allow them the opportunity to learn from more than one teacher throughout the day. Children learn best through experimentation and play. Enrichment programs stimulate children’s minds, encourage them to be creative, and nurture their natural talents and other abilities. The FDC has started to implement this on a small scale and has already seen benefits. The children look forward to this time every day and are excited to see what they will be doing. They have also seen a decline in behaviors from the children that participate. We are hoping to incorporate this project into our after-school program in the future. This will cover one year salary for a teacher dedicated to teaching these special enrichment subjects. It will also cover art supplies, musical instruments, as well as various math and science tools/activities/supplies for the classroom and the outdoor playground.
Sabetha Playground Partners (Partial Award $25,000 of committed $100,000)
The purpose of Sabetha Playground Partners is to raise funds to create an inclusive and accessible playground space at the Sabetha Library Park. The current structure does not meet the needs of the community on an accessibility level. The new play structure will provide accessibility and play features for a wide variety of ages and abilities which includes those with physical, cognitive, and social disabilities that are not otherwise able to engage in the current play space for accessibility reasons.
Lunch Lady Angels Grant Program Awards Three Families
Three grants totaling $1,657.15 were awarded to help two families with rent and utility assistance and one family needing tires for their car which allowed them to start their new job and transport their children to and from school. A HUG or Hand Up Grant is a needs-based, one-time financial assistance grant (one-time renewal to be determined) to help an applicant in need. As we know, hidden needs exist all around us — whether it be a car repair, dentures for an elderly woman, or paying for the first class toward a degree at a technical college. GSCF offers other funds that exist to help or assist people in need. Neighbor-2-Neighbor, Sabetha Food Pantry, Sabetha Emergency Medical Assistance Fund, and the Kid’s Kloset are all GSCF funds that may be able to provide help depending on the need.
If you or someone you know needs a HUG, please visit the GSCF website at https://www.sabethafoundation.org/apply-for-a-grant.cfm. HUGS are available now on an as-needed basis and applications can be filled out at any time. The Lunch Lady Angels grant program was created in memory of Judy Kruse and Mary Ann Spellmeier. These ladies spent many years cooking and feeding the students in the Sabetha schools and their families designated memorials in their honor to be placed in this fund and used for helping people in the Sabetha area.
Each year, this fund is available on the Give to Grow Day website for donations or anytime of the year at www.sabethafoundation.org. If you have fond memories of your lunch ladies, this is a great fund to give to.
