County approves CDBG grants for food, services and a commercial kitchen

Marion County commissioners approved three Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) subrecipient agreements at their Aug. 20, 2025 meeting to support local nonprofit projects addressing food distribution, homeless meal services and child advocacy services.

The commissioners voted to approve $225,000 to Catholic Community Services for commercial kitchen equipment and renovation at the Seymour Center, $113,016 to Liberty House to support lease and staffing costs for a new Woodburn location serving North Marion County, and $300,000 to Marion Polk Food Share toward purchase of a larger facility to expand food bank operations and Meals on Wheels services.

Why it matters: the three grants are intended to increase local capacity for food distribution, job-training and child- and family-serving clinical services in parts of Marion County that county staff and presenters said have seen population growth and unmet needs.

Catholic Community Services: county staff described the Catholic Community Services project as converting a former St. Vincent de Paul food bank on Portland Road into a commercial kitchen and classrooms that will provide meals for homeless populations and vocational training tied to the Church at the Park program. Josh Graves, CEO of Catholic Community Services, said the renovation will shift the site from a food-distribution model to a skills-and-employment focus.

Liberty House: Allison Kelly, CEO of Liberty House (the Marion and Polk counties’ Children’s Advocacy Center), told commissioners the Woodburn clinic will provide pediatric and mental-health services for children birth through 18 who are referred for physical and sexual abuse, trafficking and other severe trauma. County staff described the $113,016 award as a one-time start-up fund to assist with lease and early operating costs while Liberty House builds its client base.

Marion Polk Food Share: Rick Gapo of Marion Polk Food Share said the $300,000 award supports purchase of a larger facility that will co-locate food box distribution and Meals on Wheels under one roof. He told commissioners the project already has about $6 million in other commitments and that the new building will improve volunteer operations and capacity.

Formal actions and implementation: the commissioners passed each subrecipient agreement by voice vote. County staff said the awards are retroactive to July 1, 2025, and run through June 30, 2028, except where noted in each agreement. County staff and nonprofit leaders said additional fundraising and grant funds—including city, state and federal sources—are being pursued to complete each project.

Ending: County staff encouraged interested community groups and volunteers to contact the organizations directly. The commissioners thanked the nonprofit representatives for their work and moved on to other agenda items.