where we’re at,” said Janette ….
where we’re at,” said Janette Schultz of the Greenwood Food Pantry, one of the organizations receiving funds.
Part of the Greenwood Food Pantry’s funds will go towards foods that Feed My People doesn’t provide, such as ketchup and mustard, kitchen staples like baking powder and baking soda, or other items that people have requested. The other portion of the funds will go toward shelving for storing products.
Other food pantries receiving funds are the Neillsville, Owen-Withee and Thorp food pantries.
Another organization receiving funds for food will be the Christmas Angel Project of Neillsville, Granton, Chili and Humbird. In addition to providing gifts for local children in need, the project also provides each family with several bags full of groceries, including things like peanut butter, cheese and canned vegetables.
“It’s a huge benefit to us, because it will enable us to buy groceries. We will also be able to buy toys that are exercise-related, such as footballs, basketballs, jump ropes and volleyballs… It’s a significant positive for our project because it helps us provide good food for our kids and the chance for them to get outside,” said Stacy Schilling, project coordinator.
Various schools also received grants, promoting healthy eating and exercise among students, but also providing learning opportunities. As an example, the Granton Area School District received two grants, one of which will be used for the agriculture department for hydroponic growing stations.
“Students will grow vegetables such as lettuce in the hydroponic units that will be harvested and served to students and staff in the school's food service program,” explained District Administrator James Kuchta.
The other grant will be used for new playground equipment for the Granton Community Child Care Center at the school.
Another school district receiving funding is Loyal. Money will be used to purchase heavier dumbbells, kettle bells and exercise bands.
“This equipment will be used for physical education classes, students, staff and community members that work out before or after school hours. Our Wellness Committee has promoted mental and physical wellness with our staff and our students, and this will help complete the transformation of our weight and fitness center,” wrote District Administrator Chris Lindner in an email. “This equipment will be a great addition for our students, staff, and community.”
Other organizations receiving funding include the following, listed along with their project(s).
Abbotsford School District — Expand the playground area and build an inclusive playground Central Clark County Community Child Care Center — Rock wall cabin, Dino Duo climbing structure and Seedling Discover Slide for the 7Cs playground Clark County Association for Home and Community Education — Books (mostly bilingual) for Dorchester Head Start Clark County Community Foundation — Supplies used to create an outdoor Splash Pad in Loyal’s West Side Community Park Clark County Housing Coalition — Funds to assist with initial rent and needs such as tents, sleeping bags, sheets, bedding, towels and basic essentials needs for Clark County residents without stable housing Clark County Public Libraries — Supplies to introduce early literacy to new parents in the county by offering a new baby welcome bag available at the Abbotsford, Dorchester, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal, Neillsville, Owen, Thorp and Withee libraries Colby Community Library — Story walk equipment to provide pages of books to promote reading in a novel and unique manner; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning toys and kits, and books promoting mental health for children and teens Colby-Abby Special Olympics — Warm-up jackets and pants, uniforms and equipment, including softballs, whistles, timers, basketballs, etc.
Goggle Eye Trap Club — Clay targets and ammo for high school student participants Greenwood School District — Interactive floor tiles, ball-pit crash pads, pea pods and a sensory wall to provide sensory materials for the entire school population Indianhead Community Action Agency — Playground equipment for multiple parks in Clark County including Abbotsford, Colby, Dorchester, Owen and Thorp parks Neillsville Improvement Corporation — Playground equipment, an adult fitness station, picnic tables, benches and bike racks for the O'Neill Creek Trailhead and Trail Neillsville Recreation Department — Pool equipment (back float safety swim trainers, back stroke flags, non-skid deck matting, swim goggles, etc.) for Neillsville swimming pool users Personal Development Center, Inc. — Supplies to outreach and create awareness of their available services to Clark County residents who have been a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, bullying, etc.
Reseburg Ramblers 4-H Club — Fleece blanket project to donate to the Thorp Fire Department for victims of a fire or other tragedy, bingo prizes, highway cleanup supplies and craft supplies to make cards and/or crafts for the nursing home residents Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors-Sunset Pines Resort — Inclusive playground equipment, a cement path and playground surface material to expand the grounds of Sunset Pines Resort to make it more accessible Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc. — Mattresses, bedding and hardware for children and families in need of beds St. Anthony School Little Angels Child Care Center — Playground equipment (merry-go-round, teeter spring rider, tunnel slide, etc.) for the daycare St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (school and early learning center) — Playground equipment for the early learning center and the community The Highground-WI Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project, Inc. — Snowshoes, flora and fauna sign cards, self-guided forest therapy sign cards, and trail signpost and frames for hiking trail system Thorp Catholic School — Drinking fountains, a gaga ball pit and replacement swing components ThorpDairyDaysCommittee—Adding a swing set with a special needs swing to the Northside Park play area Thorp Sportsman's Club — Targets and gravel to extend the shooting distance for safety — open to the public and to host hunter safety classes Township of Hendren — Playground equipment and hardware for benches to improve the Willard field complex Tractors for Autism and Disabilities — Smart Board, iPads, computers and teaching materials to provide training and services for children with autism and other disabilities Willard Historical Society, Inc. — Picnic tables and playground equipment to expand the children’s play equipment at the only rural park in Willard Workforce Resource, Inc. — Gas cards for seniors to help with the cost of transportation Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Center — Basketball hoop for playground, outdoor play items, portable outdoor raised garden planters and hydroponic garden supplies “Offering these grants has been an immense amount of hard work. However, we know how much this funding is going to positively impact our communities, so it makes every minute of our efforts worth it,” said Mews.
“We are the first health department in the Western Region to use the health department ARPA funding in this manner. We have been sharing our grant application materials and have sparked an interest in other counties who potentially may also offer something similar.”
