FORNEY, Texas – The Forney City Council unanimously approved a $25,000 grant for the Forney Food Pantry at their April 15, 2014, meeting.
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The Forney Food Pantry was damaged two years ago on April 3, 2012, when an EF3 tornado touched down nearly on top of their building. The building has since been repaired but a plea for food late last year revealed a much greater need – community support and involvement.
In response, the 2013-14 Leadership Forney Class chose the Forney Food Pantry as their community service project for the year and made much needed improvements to the building including a new HVAC system, new refrigeration units, a website, social media presence, computer equipment, and a community drop-off locations program.
The students worked closely with local businesses to donate all the improvements. The class also raised over $6,500 in monetary donations which helped fund some of their projects.
The Forney City Council picked up some of the slack with two days remaining in the class before graduation by approving the grant which will help purchase a refrigerated truck, a pallet jack, and a couple other minor improvements to the pantry.
The City Council was presented with a proposed $15,000 grant and, instead, unanimously decided to grant $25,000. The money will be granted from the Community Benefit Fund which has a fund balance of $241,565.23.
"The grant was unexpected," said Forney Leadership Class member Katie Vrana who attended the council meeting. "It was very much appreciated and we want to thank the city council and the mayor for doing this for the Forney Food Pantry."
The refrigerated truck will be used to pick up food from the North Texas Food bank for distribution locally. The Forney Food pantry also serves Crandall, Texas, families.
In response, the 2013-14 Leadership Forney Class chose the Forney Food Pantry as their community service project for the year and made much needed improvements to the building including a new HVAC system, new refrigeration units, a website, social media presence, computer equipment, and a community drop-off locations program.
The students worked closely with local businesses to donate all the improvements. The class also raised over $6,500 in monetary donations which helped fund some of their projects.
The Forney City Council picked up some of the slack with two days remaining in the class before graduation by approving the grant which will help purchase a refrigerated truck, a pallet jack, and a couple other minor improvements to the pantry.
The City Council was presented with a proposed $15,000 grant and, instead, unanimously decided to grant $25,000. The money will be granted from the Community Benefit Fund which has a fund balance of $241,565.23.
"The grant was unexpected," said Forney Leadership Class member Katie Vrana who attended the council meeting. "It was very much appreciated and we want to thank the city council and the mayor for doing this for the Forney Food Pantry."
The refrigerated truck will be used to pick up food from the North Texas Food bank for distribution locally. The Forney Food pantry also serves Crandall, Texas, families.