Food Bank gets biggest foundation award

The Northern New York Community Foundation board of directors approved $251,850 in grants to community organizations during its meeting Tuesday afternoon.

The largest grant, $70,000, was awarded to the Food Bank of Central New York.

"Given the community's need continues to be high for folks who need food, this will be a nice way to cap on our focus of basic human need for the year," said Rande S. Richardson, the agency's assistant director.

Mr. Richardson said the $70,000 grant to the Food Bank will provide $700,000 worth of food for one soup kitchen and several food pantries in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Beth J. Slater, Food Bank director of member programs, said that large return is possible because the Food Bank couples donated food with government commodities and wholesale purchasing.

"It will stretch much further than the pantries shopping on their own," Ms. Slater said.

The agency temporarily changed its grant-making policy earlier this year to consider only proposals related to basic human need after its assets dropped significantly. But Mr. Richardson said the financial outlook of the Community Foundation is looking up, and that was reflected in the board's decision to approve some grants that were not related to basic human need. Although the agency is beginning to return to its more broad-reaching grant initiatives, the board wants to continue on the course of addressing basic human need.

"Everyone wants to err on the side of caution," Mr. Richardson said.

Other grants approved Tuesday afternoon were:

■ $53,400 to the Volunteer Transportation Center, to assist it in providing service during a time of unexpected growth in requests for trips.

■ $50,000 to the Traditional Arts in Upstate New York in support of its campaign to create a folk life center which will enhance the ability to showcase the culture and living traditions of the north country.

■ $25,000 to the Watertown Teen Center to properly equip its kitchen facilities.

■ $23,000 to the Jefferson County Historical Society to repair its deteriorating roof, which had been causing water damage and posed a potential risk to their collections.

■ $11,000 to Sherman Elementary School to complete funding of the construction of a handicapped-accessible playground.

■ $10,000 to Sarah House, Syracuse, to assist with a new evening and weekend program that would provide staffing coverage.

■ $5,000 to the Antique Boat Museum for its "Made in Clayton" exhibit, which highlights Clayton's manufacturing heritage.

■ $4,450 to the Constable Hall Association to install a new fire alarm, security system and smoke detectors.