Local nonprofits seek city funding for youth programs, movies and senior‑center repairs

Scappoose — Multiple local nonprofits presented requests to the City Council Monday for Community Enhancement Program funding to support recurring events, youth programs and building repairs.

Representatives from the Scappoose Historical Society, Scappoose Kiwanis Youth Recreation Center, Scappoose Public Library, Scappoose Senior Center and United Way of Columbia County described program operations, attendance and funding needs during the council’s work session.

Heather Arness, vice president of the Scappoose Historical Society, asked the city to continue supporting the group’s annual Light Fight holiday event; she said the program’s costs have fallen since its first year because the group can reuse materials. "This is the third year," Arness said, adding the event has grown each year.

Amanda Longtain, co‑director of the Scappoose Youth Rec Center, described the center’s summer program, which serves 30 to 40 children daily at Peterson School and charges $25 for a month of membership. "We run the rec center in the summertime ... we have between 30 and 40 that come throughout the day," Longtain said. The rec center requested a $5,000 city donation; Longtain said the group is otherwise sole‑funded by municipal support.

Jeff Weiss, representing the Scappoose Public Library, requested $5,000 to continue Movies in the Park, a free family series that last year drew more than 200 people per night on average. "On average, in our last year, it was over 200 people a night," Weiss said, and described low food prices at the library’s fundraisers to keep events accessible.

Scappoose Senior Center leaders outlined a capital need: siding replacement on the center’s thrift store building, which the presenters said is the senior center’s principal revenue source. The lowest bid the group reported was about $39,250; presenters said additional structural rot discovered during preparatory work could increase the final cost. The senior center said it has already raised roughly half the bid amount through local fundraising.

United Way of Columbia County executive director Claire Cat described the Imagination Library, which mails a free age‑appropriate book monthly to registered children; she said "Of those 356 are Scappoose kiddos" enrolled countywide and urged continued city support of early‑literacy work that reaches local children before kindergarten.

Why it matters: The requests are part of the council’s annual community enhancement review, when Council members weigh several small grants against available funds. The candidates provide a mix of youth programming, free public events and building repairs that city officials said match the city’s community‑building goals.

Next steps: The council said it will meet with city staff to review eligibility, available funds and allocation levels at a future meeting, then notify applicants of awards. No funding decisions were made during Monday’s meeting.

Ending: Council staff told applicants they will "talk to Benjay about what our next role is" and that the council will aim to provide as much support as possible within budget constraints.