Finance committee recommends $1,500 grant to Tri Village Packers to aid child food insecurity

The Grandview Heights Finance Committee recommended sending a $1,500 grant to Tri Village Packers on the committee's new scoring rubric, citing the group's work feeding children during school breaks and providing grab-and-go snacks in local schools.

Council Member Walker, who presented the group's scores, said the application showed a well-defined scope and measurable benefit. "So my total is, 94," Walker said when reporting the rubric total and added that the group had provided specific figures on students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch and on the break meal program. Walker said the requested $1,500 was "a fair and logical request."

Other committee members praised the group's track record. Chair Smith noted the group's collaboration with local service clubs and cited volunteers by name, and Councilman Ray Anthony said the program was "focused and impactful" even if its population scope was limited relative to the city's total residents. "It doesn't mean that they need to be a part of it, but just would hearing how they fit into that puzzle piece would have been appreciated," Anthony said, urging awareness of how the program complements broader Central Ohio food-access networks.

The committee moved to recommend the $1,500 award by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript. The recommendation will be forwarded to the full council for final approval.