Cleveland Council approves $75K grant for summer food program at Camp George Forbes

Cleveland City Council has taken significant steps to support youth and public health initiatives during the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 2, 2025. The council approved two key ordinances aimed at enhancing community services.

The first ordinance, numbered 658-2025, authorizes the Director of Parks and Recreation to apply for a $75,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Education for the 2025 Summer Food Service Program at Camp George Forbes. This program, which has been in operation for over 20 years, provides essential meal services to youth attending the camp. Council members expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasizing its importance in promoting healthy eating among children during the summer months.

Councilman Bishop highlighted the program's longstanding success, stating, "We fully support this request." The ordinance was swiftly approved with no questions raised, underscoring the council's commitment to youth welfare.

In a related effort, the council also approved ordinance number 602-2025, which allows the Director of Public Health to apply for a grant from the Ohio Commission of Minority Health. This funding will help sustain operations at the Cleveland Office of Minority Health and enable collaborations with various agencies to implement health initiatives. The focus on minority health reflects the council's dedication to addressing health disparities within the community.

Both ordinances represent a proactive approach by the Cleveland City Council to enhance public services and support vulnerable populations, ensuring that essential programs continue to thrive in the community.