Community Reinvestment Fund brings significant help to Milford orgnizations
MILFORD, Del. – Certain community-geared organizations are getting a nice chunk of change from the Delaware General Assembly. Just in Milford, bond money and cash from the Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF), are bringing $3.8 million in improvements.
Providing Necessities and Friendship
The Milford Senior Center is just one organization set to get a boost. It serves close to a thousand folks; providing them with meals, transportation, activities, and friendship.
“Socialization is the biggest thing right now,” said Executive Director of the Milford Senior Center, Amy Stratton. “After the years of isolation with the COVID pandemic, we’ve noticed that members are ready to get out, talk, and meet people and do things. Keeping them engaged our biggest priority.”
Improvements at Milford Senior Center
However, that can’t be done without funding; much of which, Stratton says, comes from grants. $100,000 from the CRF is now making improvements at the center possible.
“We had all new trim and paint put on. So, we are going to recoup some of those funds,” said Stratton. “We’ve got new signage coming, new kitchen equipment. We’re going to finish updating the bathrooms with new flooring, and we need to renovate the office. It’s about 30 years old. So, it’s not really functional for today’s use.
But it’s not just about a fresh coat of paint and new equipment, says Stratton.
“It makes it more functional and efficient for us more modern day. Technology allows us to perform or duties better, and updating the interior of the building with cosmetic improvements can really enlighten the members,” said Stratton. “It makes it more welcoming warm environment.
Big Things Happening at Food Bank
Not far away, big things are also happening for the Food Bank of Delaware. Vice President of External Affairs for the Food Bank of Delaware, Chad Robinson, says that’s thanks to $700,000 from the CRF, plus a $3 million bond bill line item.
“We’re going to be going from a 16,000 square-foot facility that we currently have, to a new 67,000 square-foot facility here in Milford,” said Robinson. “It’s really going to allow us to bring all of our programs under one roof. Right now, in our existing facility, we just don’t have the space.”
The new facility, which is still under construction, will be able to accommodate much more, says Robinson; food and frozen storage, workforce development space, an on-site healthy pantry center, and a large volunteer room.
Remaining Ready
Robinson says the organization’s growing facilities match a growing need.
“The last fiscal year that we had before the pandemic, we did about 8.6 million pounds of food throughout the state of Delaware. This last fiscal year, that we just ended on June 30th, we’re close to 18 million pounds of distribution throughout the state,” said Robinson. “Families are still struggling with putting food on the table, with recovering from the COVID pandemic, recovering from the inflation costs.”
Construction is on track, says Robinson. An opening date for the new facility is expected in November of 2023. Until then, Robinson says the Food Bank remains ready to serve those in need.
“I think the pandemic showed everyone the services we offer here at the Food Bank, and really showed everyone how close we all are to needing the services that we provide,” said Robinson. “We don’t see this going away in the next few months, or the next year. I think this is going to be a much longer term issue that plagues our community.”
