Local charities get federal funds, but less than prior years

Meals on Wheels, Providence House and a variety of local charities serving Brick Township received $41,154 in federal grants, but those grants were smalller than past years, officials said.

Community Development Block Grants, which are provided to municipalities through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, are distributed to community groups after the local governments identify social needs.

The grants were announced at a Township Council meeting Tuesday night, where many residents had pointed out shortcomings in the social "safety net" after Hurricane Sandy left many residents without power. 

Dottie's House, a provider of transitional housing for domestic violence victims, received $8,200 and was this year's largest grant recipient. Community Services Inc./Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals to homebound elderly, received $7,611.  

More than $5,500 was provided in separate grants to Ocean County Hunger Relief and Interfaith Hospitality Network., which operate 38 food pantries and assist homeless, respectively.

Other grant recipients included Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, elderly assistance; Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ocean County, youth mentoring; Vetworks, provides assisance to veterans; Contact of Ocean County, crisis intervention such as substance abuse, domestic violence and depression; Ocean's Harbor House, youth shelter; ARC of Ocean County, advocacy for developmentally disabled; and Church of Visitation Lunch Program, community lunch program.

Mayor Steve Acropolis said this year's Community Development Block Grants totaled $274,835, down from $319,024 last year and $383,243 in 2010.  In 2010, the township was able to donate $57,486 to these groups.

Rehabco/Oross Associates on Mantoloking Road administers the township's Community Development Block Grant. The group works with the townsip to identify community needs, submit the funding applications to HUD and disburse the funds to local charities.