Bristol hears Year 52 CDBG requests as nonprofits report rising demand for food, shelter and job training

City of Bristol economic development staff opened a public hearing on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Year 52 funding requests and heard presentations from local nonprofits describing growing demand for basic services and workforce supports. Chair opened the hearing and said HUD had not announced Year 52 allocations yet.

Applicants described a range of needs that CDBG public‑service dollars would help cover. Emily Esher of Shepherd Meadows Western Center said the organization serves participants “from 4 to 84” and highlighted partnerships with the Bristol Senior Center, the Boys & Girls Club and local schools. Kim Ali of Bristol Works told commissioners that ARPA funds that previously underwrote free programming are sunsetting, that Bristol Works has served more than 900 participants since opening, and that CDBG support would help keep training affordable for low‑ and moderate‑income residents.

Food and shelter providers said demand is rising. Donna Baron of Grace Community Food Pantry reported the pantry served 124,560 meals last year, said about 89% of its clients live in Bristol and described a new backpack program that will supply twice‑monthly packs to preschool families. Joan McMahon of St. Vincent de Paul said the agency operates a 24‑bed shelter, is seeing more working‑poor households and has recently sheltered children; she said requested funds would support additional children’s programming and transitional services.

Shelter and domestic‑violence services emphasized high caseloads. Barbara Damon of the Prudence Crandall Center said the center’s shelter has been over capacity since COVID and that the center is on track to serve about 625 Bristol residents this year; she described using hotel rooms when shelter space is unavailable. Donna Donion of Veterans Strong Community Center outlined targeted housing assistance to veterans and requested CDBG support to fund a grant writer to pursue housing grants.

Health and housing counseling providers described service volumes and gaps. Sarayan Monte, nurse manager at the Community Health Center in Bristol, said the clinic provided roughly 7,800 visits in 2025 and serves about 2,400 uninsured or Medicaid patients; Monte warned that state and federal coverage changes could push more people into the uninsured population and said CDBG funds could be used to bridge care for dozens of patients. Barria Keyes of Neighborhood Housing Services of New Britain said her organization helps first‑time homebuyers and affordable housing development and requested $10,000 to continue services that reach roughly 50–52 Bristol residents annually.

Several presenters noted program‑level outcomes and constraints. John Rinkowski of the Bristol Boys & Girls Club said the Cambridge Park program has operated for 31 years and reported a claimed 100% graduation rate for high‑school seniors in the community they serve; Rinkowski and others said physical space limits growth. Salvation Army staff said program year 51 funding supported services to about 1,719 people locally and that the group intends to prioritize Bristol residents for material and food assistance if awarded CDBG funds.

No votes were taken at the hearing. Chair reminded attendees that this presentation is one step in the CDBG process: the ECD policy committee will meet, a second public hearing will be held in the spring, and a 30‑day public comment period will follow. The hearing closed with commissioners thanking speakers.