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Sterling Community Center seeks modest town increase as pantry demand rises and key grants sunset
Summary
Sterling Community Center (formerly Sterling House) requested a 3.7% increase in its town funding ask, citing rising minimum‑wage costs and the loss of several federal and state grants (including a camp grant and CDBG reductions). The nonprofit reported broad townwide reach, 10,000 annual contacts, 500+ volunteers, 247 camp scholarships ($62,000)
Amanda (Sterling Community Center executive) and John Chamberlain (development director) presented the nonprofit’s FY26 request and program impact to the ordinance committee, asking for a 3.7% increase in the town appropriation and highlighting increased demand for the food pantry and the recent sunset of several grant streams.
Amanda said the organization is preparing its budget “without those line items” it has long received from federal sources, and noted the second consecutive year without CDBG funding and the end of ESSER funding. She said the organization will not ask the town to replace lost federal dollars but is fundraising and planning to “constrict” program costs where needed. The Sterling Community Center’s town request has historically been about 10% of its operating budget, Amanda said, and the current ask reflects building and grounds expenses, liability insurance, field equipment, and a share of athletic operations.
John described an impact map of program participants across Stratford and the organization’s reach: about 10,000 unique contacts in the prior year, a volunteer base of over 500 people and roughly 60 teen volunteers who contributed an estimated 15,000 hours. He also noted the center’s scholarship work: “We fundraised that camp grant that we were getting … $62,000 worth of funding that goes into our programs,” supporting 247 children with financial aid across camp and sports programs.
Councilors asked about the pantry and whether current donations meet demand. Amanda said the pantry is operating but has seen higher use and relies on Connecticut Foodshare, grants and community donations; she said federal cuts would most affect pantry operations. She and John said pantry users skew toward middle‑age and senior residents (about 40% senior recipients for the pantry), and they described dignity‑preserving distribution practices (buzzers and pick‑up workflows).
On camps and scholarships, the presenters said a state camp grant that had provided significant support is not available this year (presenters identified it in discussion as approximately $140,000 in prior years), and the center has been working to replace those funds through fundraising.
Ending: The committee thanked Sterling Community Center staff; councilors praised volunteers and expressed interest in maintaining town support at historical levels while the nonprofit seeks new revenue sources.
