The City of Prince George presented 17 social, arts and cultural organizations with over $315,000 in grants. The annual grants were presented in a ceremony at City Hall on Monday.
"We're so pleased to recognize the work of so many groups," Mayor Shari Green said.
Green said volunteer organizations are critical to meeting the social, artistic and cultural goals Prince George residents identified during the myPG process.
In addition, she said, nonprofit groups are often able to raise additional funding -up to $9 for every dollar provided by the city -through matching grants.
Positive Living North member services manager Steve Lorenz said the city's $16,900 contribution will allow the agency, which serves residents living with HIV/AIDS, to hire a coordinator to run a food bank program.
"Most of our members are living in poverty," Lorenz said. "There have been improvements in medication, but it's kind of irrelevant if you don't have good nutrition. It's absolutely foundational to get that basics of nutrition."
While members come in to get food, they'll also be able to get information and other services, Lorenz said.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Prince George interim executive director Tim Bennet said the city funding will support summer activity programs for children and youth who would not otherwise be able to afford them.
"Once we're able to get the infrastructure in place, we'll be able to offer these programs year-round," Bennet added.
ColdSnap music festival chairperson Elissa Meiklem said the city's grant, although small, allows the annual festival to apply for matching grants.
"It's important to unlocking other funds," Meiklem said.
2012 Social Grant recipients
Northern John Howard Society Street Humanities program: $26,630
Canadian Mental Health Association Community Navigator program: $17,000
Positive Living North food service coordinator: $16,900
Big Brothers Big Sisters Prince George summer programs: $16,000
St. Vincent du Paul Society donations coordinator: $9,230
Prince George Brain Injured Group education programs: $7,500
Canadian Red Cross Society RespectED program: $5,740
Prince George Safe Attitudes and Actions Society PARTY Program: $5,000
2012 Cultural Grant recipients
Theatre North West: $118,000
Prince George Symphony Orchestra: $60,000
Community Arts Council: $21,000
Prince George Conservatory of Music: $5,000
Multicultural Heritage Society Canada Day celebration: $4,500
Le Cercle des Canadiens Francais FrancoFun Festival: $3,130
Prince George Folkfest ColdSnap music festival: $1,500
Prince George Rivers Day: $1,000
Two Rivers Gallery KidzArt Dayz: $1,000
