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Sullivan County Chamber foundation revives programs, launches community food-pantry project and small-business supports
Summary
The Sullivan County Chamber reported growth in membership, plans to subsidize advertising and launch internal grant support; the affiliated foundation reactivated, and a Leadership Sullivan class will place five small 24/7 food pantries around the county.
The Sullivan County Chamber and its affiliated foundation reported renewed activity and local projects designed to support small businesses and address food insecurity.
Ashley, a chamber representative, told the Economic Development Committee the chamber welcomed 21 new members in the past two months and is stepping up business-retention services, including a social-media RFP and a subsidized advertising program with the River Reporter that reduces advertising costs for small businesses. "We are looking to hire somebody internally here to really try and get our socials back up and running," Ashley said.
Ashley said the chamber will roll out a roughly 12-week entrepreneurial training program in September and has set aside money for an internal grants program tied to a new foundation effort. "The foundation is officially back up and running. We have a new board. We're doing our bylaws," Ashley said.
Laurie, identified as the foundation board chair, described the foundation as the chamber's 501(c)(3) arm and said it is financially stable thanks to an endowment. She described Leadership Sullivan, a multi-week program that trains local ambassadors, and said this year's class project will install small community food pantries modeled after little free libraries.
"The class's goal is to put these boxes out," Laurie said. The pantries will be constructed by Delaware Valley Job Corps (also referenced as Sullivan County Job Corps) with volunteers and sponsors covering materials; organizers reported five confirmed locations and 15 sponsors. The pantries are intended to provide 24/7 low-stigma access to nonperishable items for residents who may avoid traditional food services.
The foundation chair said the class graduation is scheduled for June 12 and invited committee members to attend. Committee members asked for details on sponsorship and rollout; organizers asked the committee and county staff to share ribbon-cutting information when available.
Committee members praised the initiative and underscored the need for residents to support local businesses and be civil in public communications, which Laurie said undermines community promotion when negative messaging spreads on social media. "If you're negative, I don't wanna hear about it," Laurie said, while acknowledging the county has real problems to address.
Organizers requested county assistance with outreach; chamber leaders said outreach will include Seminary Hill events, a partnership with the workforce development team and cooperation with neighboring county chambers. The chamber's advertising subsidy and internal grants program were described as early-stage and will be finalized as the foundation and chamber boards complete bylaws and administrative details.
