To recoup losses from the COVID-19 pandemic, three nonprofit organizations have asked the city of Seymour for some of the $2.25 million it has received through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Representatives from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Indiana, Child Care Network and Community Diner made their cases for those requests, which totaled $277,429.25, during Monday night’s city council meeting.

Councilman Jerry Hackney said the three proposed ordinances concerning those requests would have appropriated money that the council could not vote on that night because a public hearing must be advertised before funds could be appropriated to anyone.

At the April 11 council meeting, members are scheduled to discuss the requests for a possible first vote on the proposed ordinances. If that vote is successful, the final vote to appropriate the funds could occur during the April 25 council meeting.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Indiana Executive Director Gina Freeman requested $72,204 to hire a match support specialist. That person would assist

with matching children and mentors. Some of the ARP money would be used to recoup monies that could have been raised through the annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser.

She said that fundraiser has not been held the past two years due to the global pandemic.

After the organization lost a match support specialist within the past couple of years, Freeman said an employee from the Madison office has helped with matches.

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, Freeman said the agency was servicing 50 matches. That number has fallen to 41 since then for the agency, which serves Jackson, Jennings, Jefferson and Scott counties and Trimble and Carroll counties in Kentucky.

Kate Garrity, executive director of Child Care Network, requested $200,000 in ARP funding to go toward the development of a 120-seat community child care center in a former church building at Fifth and Chestnut streets in downtown Seymour.

She said the Community Foundation of Jackson County received a $1.5 million grant in December 2020 from the Lilly Endowment for rehabbing the building and providing furnishings.

Remaining construction costs increased during the pandemic, and Garrity said there is a shortage of around $450,000 to finish the center.

Besides the $200,000 the agency is requesting from the city, Garrity said the agency also plans to request another $200,000 from the county council. The organization would provide the remaining $50,000 to complete the project.

Community Diner board member Robbie Baird requested $5,225.25 for that organization.

Baird said the Community Diner has seen a sharp increase in costs due to the pandemic.

In 2019, Baird said the cost of supplies for the organization was $166.06.

This change in supplies made the cost of supplies go up to $2,145.01 in 2020, Baird said.

Last year, the organization spent $3,407.36 on supplies.

Baird said the organization distributes an average of 80 meals a week. Community Diner offered dine-in meals before the pandemic and in March 2020 switched to distributing takeout hot meals.

During the meeting, Councilman Drew Storey asked if an official plan has been created by the council’s finance committee that outlines how funds will be appropriated.

Hackney said the committee was working on a plan, and he hopes to have it available by the next meeting.

The finance committee consists of Hackney and fellow councilmen Seth Davidson and Dave Earley.