AARP Indiana recently announced Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Pantry in Seymour has been selected to receive a 2022 AARP Community Challenge grant, one of five grantees chosen statewide.
The program provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.
Anchor House received grant funding to install an awning at the food pantry at 250 S. Vine St. to provide shade and shelter from the weather for shoppers as well as funding to support an art installation and increase outreach to the Latino community in Jackson County, according to a joint news release issued Wednesday.
The nonprofit organization has partnered with Southern Indiana Center for the Arts to design and install an art display that celebrates the community and improves the curb appeal of the Seymour neighborhood that is home to the Anchor House food pantry and family shelter.
Lindsay Sarver, funding director for Anchor House, said the awning has been ordered but is pending production and some painting prework, and the SICA board will be meeting next month to begin the design and planning process for the art display.
“We’re also awaiting a decision from the Seymour Redevelopment Commission and Gleaners for additional support to make necessary painting and roofing repairs prior to the art and awning installations,” she said.
Anchor House credits New Hope Services and the Indiana Health Clinic for their assistance in pantry outreach efforts to the Latino community.
Executive Director Megan Cherry said Anchor House is honored to be a recipient of the $16,000 AARP grant.
“Anchor House is grateful to AARP, SICA and others that made these improvements possible and to all the donors that keep the Anchor House food pantry stocked for all those experiencing hunger in Jackson County, Indiana,” she said in the news release.
This project is part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.4 million awarded among 260 organizations nationwide.
Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long term by improving public places; transportation; housing; diversity, equity and inclusion; digital access; and civic engagement with an emphasis on the needs of adults ages 50 and over.
“We are incredibly excited to support Anchor House as they continue the important work in their community,” AARP Indiana State Director Sarah Waddle said. “Supporting the efforts of organizations like Anchor House helps AARP Indiana reach our goal of making great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities.”
The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages.
Since 2017, AARP Indiana has awarded 14 grants and $226,455 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.
View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions online at aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.