The Sarnia Community Foundation (SCF) has doled out six grants, totaling $29,250, to support projects and initiatives within Lambton County.
Many of the grant recipients (listed below) had applied for funding to support initiatives that tackled food insecurity, while other initiatives focused on environmental stewardship and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) youth programs.
The inaugural SCF Spring Grants program was introduced earlier this year.
Executive Director Mike Barron said they normally have one grant cycle per year but with the amount of growth seen over the past few years, they found that a second grant period would allow the foundation to better support the Sarnia-Lambton community.
He said they received about 13 applications.
"That's always the challenge I've seen when we're doing grants, the number of applications versus the pool of assets that you have to allocate."
The spring grant recipients include:
Mastermind Youth Foundation was awarded $10,000 from Borouge International fund to expand its STEM and robotics programs.
The North Lambton Community Health Centre received $5,000 from the Giving Tuesday campaign to support the Rural Circles Community Garden.
County of Lambton's Social Services Division received $5,500 for a community garden from Giving Tuesday/donor advised.
St. Paul's Petrolia Community Fridge was given $4,200 from the SCF Community Fund.
St Clair Child and Youth received $2,500 to support community outreach.
Harmony for Youth was given $2,050 from the Environmental Fund to support a community garden pilot program. Grant recipients, fund holders, volunteers, and community leaders gathered at the Lochiel Kiwanis Center last week.
Barron said it was "inspirational" to hear from each of the organizations benefitting from the spring grant program.
