Local nonprofits receiving ARPA funding boost

By Riley Funk

More than $145,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds will be dispersed among 13 local nonprofits to help them complete needed projects.

The ARPA funds were approved for distribution by the St. Joseph City Council on April 29.

One organization that received a funding boost, the United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Missouri, will use the funding to assist its adult program. The organization serves both children and adults of all ages with different developmental disabilities in the area.

Jana Campbell, director of adult services at UCP, said the $13,888.89 in ARPA funds will go toward the purchase of 20 iPads. Half will be used by staff members, and the other will be used by those who utilize UCP services.

“We do all kinds of things. Whether, they have a specific technology goal that’s specific to them, down to maybe some downtime … most people are Apple users, and so we’re super excited to bring in those iPads and have that opportunity for them,” Campbell said.

UCP will also purchase device accessories to ensure they stay protected and easy to use.

Campbell said it’s a great opportunity to shift the focus to technology use by learning in a fun and interactive way.

“(Whether) I’m maybe, practicing my spelling. Maybe it’s something that we can plug your address in and you’re learning your address, your phone number or current events but you’re not doing it on a piece of paper, you’re actually getting ahold of it and it’s disguised in that technology,” Campbell said. “We can really just grow from it, be more efficient and effective in our learning.”

Another nonprofit receiving funding is Second Harvest Community Food Bank. According to city documents, the organization is set to receive the most ARPA funds at $18,333.33.

Chad Higdon, CEO of Second Harvest, said the funding will go toward the cold storage facility project, which is already underway with construction.

“It’s really going to benefit a lot of the families that we serve throughout Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. A lot of our distribution of mobile pantries is fresh produce,” Higdon said. “There’s a lot of food that comes in that needs that refrigeration. And it’s really going to help our operations.”

Higdon said a total of nearly $2.9 million has been raised with the help of ARPA funds for the nearly $3.5 million goal for the project.

“We’re really excited where we are and excited to see the construction (that) is getting started now,” Higdon said.

Higdon said apart from Second Harvest receiving funding, seeing other organizations get a boost is a positive for both the agency and those they serve.

“There is more competition for funds that are available and resources that individuals, businesses and corporations have to give. But there’s a lot of good things happening in this community,” Higdon said. “It’s nice to see the support that’s really going to benefit a lot of families in need right now.”

Other agencies that will receive funding include:

Allied Arts Council ($11,111.11)

Boy Scouts of America, Pony ($3,366.67)

Mission House Covenant Community Life Restoration Center, Inc. ($8,333.33)

YWCA St. Joseph ($14,444.44)

Interfaith Community Services, Inc. ($12,222.22)

AFL-CIO Community Services ($16,666.67)

Pony Express Museum, Inc. ($10,555.56)

Special Olympics Missouri, Inc. ($13,333.33)

St. Joseph Youth Alliance ($12,777.78)

St. Joseph Youth Soccer Association ($5,300)

Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri, Inc. ($5,000)

In the original legislation, St. Joseph Community Gardens Inc. was set to be awarded $2,444.44 in ARPA funds, but the organization withdrew its request, according to City Manager Bryan Carter.

Carter also said that a memorial program for St. Joseph Police Department K-9 officer Max, who was killed in 2021, was selected to receive $2,223. However, the city was uncertain about eligibility for that program under the ARPA guidelines. In a manner of caution, the city plans to fund the program using general revenue.