Roundtable discussion held for federal program taking root locally

Sunday in Salisbury marked the beginning of a new nationwide initiative taking root right here locally.  The new program, called Communities of Faith and Opportunity, was announced by the Trump Administration back in May, and USDA officials were at the First Baptist Church in Salisbury for roundtable discussions.

The goal of the program is to level the playing fields for faith-based and community organizations for grants, contracts and other federal funding.

Issues discussed at the roundtable that this program could aid include the opioid crisis, poverty, hunger, homelessness and veterans affairs.

We're told there will be follow-up events to today's roundtable and that the USDA and federal partners will respond to the challenges as they are identified.