At the Red Bank Commission meeting on August 19th, the Board of Commissioners awarded $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) micro-grants to 11 local nonprofits serving the Red Bank community. The funding will support a wide range of needs, including food security, education, disability services, environmental restoration, youth programs, housing, and animal welfare.
"Nonprofits have been serving our Red Bank neighbors since before the COVID pandemic, but they stepped up during those challenging times to meet a much higher level of need when our neighbors were really struggling,” said Red Bank Mayor Stefanie Dalton. “Being a small local government, we are limited in what resources we can provide to our neighbors, but we are incredibly lucky to have so many local nonprofits helping to fill those gaps.”
The eleven grant recipients and their intended use of the funds include:
· Red Bank Community Food Pantry ($10,000) – Refrigeration upgrades, electrical work, and food stock.
· Downside Up Inc. ($5,000) – "Regulating Together" program for neurodiverse children and families.
· La Paz Chattanooga ($5,000) – Career readiness and education programs for the Latino community.
· Learning Gardens at Red Bank Elementary ($5,000) – Outdoor learning improvements, accessible seating, sensory play area.
· WaterWays ($5,000) – Restoration of Stringers Branch with invasive removal, stabilization, and planting.
· Be The Change Youth Initiative ($4,000) – Art and leadership programs at Red Bank High School.
· Just the Right Purpose ($4,000) – In-home personal care for individuals with intellectual or mental disabilities.
· Northside Neighborhood House ($4,000) – Support for CommUNITY Schools and stability programs.
· Vision of Mercy ($4,000) – "Hope to the Hopeless" program assisting homeless students and families with meals and housing support.
· Red Bank High School Blue Lion Band ($2,000) – Private music lessons for students.
· Tennessee Humane Animal League ($2,000) – Low-cost spay/neuter services for pets in low-income households.
"This is our second year of offering these micro-grants, and I am grateful to our Citizens Nonprofit Advisory Board who, on behalf of the City of Red Bank, does the hard work to request these applications, thoroughly consider and evaluate the submissions, and ultimately recommend those nonprofits who serve Red Bank…I am grateful for their diligence and discernment." said City Manager Martin Granum.
Mayor Dalton added that she feels it is truly an honor to be able to share back a portion of the city’s ARPA COVID relief funds with the nonprofits that are helping to meet the everyday needs of the neighbors, students, pets, and families in Red Bank.
“The City of Red Bank is so thankful to these eleven organizations and beyond for their ongoing partnership."