PROVIDENCE – Two Rhode Island nonprofits are among nearly 160 grant recipients of AARP’s 2019 Community Challenge program.
An $11,933 grant to the Leon Mathieu Senior Center in Pawtucket will go toward building an outdoor activity center, and a $5,000 grant to Amos House in Providence is to be used for growing produce in a new volunteer-run garden.
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A total of roughly $1.6 million was distributed to 159 projects across the country as a result of the Community Challenge. The program, which is in its third year, received nearly 1,700 applications in 2019.
Grantees must finish their projects by Nov. 4 of this year.
In Pawtucket, the grant will fund chess and checker tables, benches, planters, raised beds, plants and signs at Leon Mathieu Senior Center.
Amos House’s grant is meant to improve access to fresh food in south Providence by adding vegetables harvested from a 900-square-foot garden to its soup kitchen menu.
“Each year, Amos House serves over 120,000 free meals to our community members,” said John Farber, chair of Amos House’s board of directors. “A significant portion of those we serve are seniors. More than just a beautiful addition to the Amos House campus, this garden will provide fresh produce for meals in our soup kitchen and provide a positive volunteer activity for many of our active older adult neighbors.”
The garden is to be located at 407 Friendship St. in Providence.
At the Leon Mathieu Senior Center, the grant will help turn a stretch of asphalt into a gathering spot, said center Director Mary Lou Moran.
“We will convert an unused space… into a welcoming oasis that will reduce social isolation and breed new friendships across generations. It’s a big job, but with this generous grant we will be able to bring our long-time dream to fruition.”
