Non-profits still have time to apply for part of $1 million grants, Lebanon officials said

Douglas Stump
·3 min read
County officials over the past few years have already seen greater demand for housing and social services from Lebanon residents.

Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello told city council that non-profit organizations serving the city have only until January 31 to apply for part of the $1 million the city will be awarding in grants prior to April 30.

The city received $8.3 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Joe Biden in March 2021. Much of the money will be used for infrastructure projects in the city but $1 million will be used to help non-profit organizations address some of the detrimental effects the pandemic had on the community.

Janelle Mendoff, Community and Economic Development Administrator, said she had received only five applications for grants, but noted that recent emails and calls indicated more applications would be forthcoming.

Non-profit organizations that provide services in the city and have administrative offices in the city are eligible to apply. An organization that has not been providing services in the city for at least three years will be required to submit a business plan.

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Applicants will be asked to explain how grant money received will be used to conform with one or more of the eligible categories on a list provided with the application. Some of those categories include job training, mental health services, healthy childhood environments, aid to high poverty districts, services to unhoused persons, and substance use services.

An impartial panel appointed by city administrators will review and rank the applications submitted. It was originally intended for two of the city council members to serve on the panel, but Capello said the council members are involved with many various non-profit organizations in the city, so two other people will be selected.

Questions about the grants can be directed to Janelle Mendoff at jmendoff@lebanonpa.org. Applications can also be found on the city's website, lebanonpa.org.

Also at the meeting, the council gave permission for city administration personnel to turn over correspondence and other documents found in city files relating to the Colonial Theater to the Lebanon County Historical Society.

"We will be happy to accept those documents," Councilman Richard Wertz, vice-president of the Historical Society, said.

The Colonial Theater operated in Lebanon from 1923 until 1975 at the northwest corner of Cumberland and Ninth streets. The building was eventually demolished.

Capello informed council of the reappointment of Jane Yocum, Terrence Feeman, Captain Bret Fisher, Detective Ryan Mong, and Sgt. Steve Bord to the City of Lebanon Police Pension Fund Board for a four-year term, effective January 3, 2022.

Career Firefighter Brian Otto, Career Firefighter Anthony Ficco, III, Martin Yocum, and Gregory Hower were reappointed to the City of Lebanon Paid Firemen’s Pension Fund Board for a four-year term, effective January 3, 2022.

Council was also informed of the reappointment of Gary Matthew to the City of Lebanon Authority for a five-year term, effective January 1, 2022, and of the reappointment of Jeffrey Yocum, D.O., Fire Commissioner Duane Trautman, Sandra Meluskey, and Code Enforcement Inspector Gerald Fisch to the City of Lebanon Board of Health for a four-year term, effective January 3.

Craig Gates of the Community of Lebanon Association reminded council that the annual serving of a 300-pound cherry pie will take place on February 18 at the Lebanon Farmers Market. Slices of the pie, baked by Zig's Bakery, will be served starting at 9:00 a.m., at the cost of $3 a slice.

Capello said the City will recognize February as Black History Month. She plans to make a proclamation to honor the celebration.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon non-profits have until the end of January to apply for grants