Springboard Collaborative sees big bucks from USDA to feed pallet village residents

GEORGETOWN, Del. – Springboard Collaborative’s pallet village for homeless individuals is getting a big boost, thanks to a USDA Rural Development grant. The grant totals $722,300, and will help feed village residents.

“They will pay 55% of our food production costs. We’re feeding three meals a day for 40 some odd people, seven days a week,” said Springboard Collaborative Executive Director, Judson Malone. “We are in the midst of starting construction on our community center. Part of that community center will have a commercial kitchen. So, some of the USDA money will help pay for some of the equipment.”

Malone says health and confidence can only come with a full belly and roof over one’s head.

“Nutrition is a very important element for people who have been living a very rough life,” Malone said. “The food insecurity that they experience in unsheltered environment has its own detrimental effect on their health. The second part of it is, we have an excellent food service manager who pays a lot of attention to nutrition and organic foods.”

The village has seen a number of grants from foundations and banks. Funding from the Community Reinvestment Act, and philanthropic donations have also helped. However, Malone says the organization is always looking for other funding sources.

“The USDA grant is only for the production of food and delivery of food. But, we still have staff and other expenses to cover. We’re always in fundraising mode,” said Malone.

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