How Your Donations Helped Our Community

Hey, District 5: How Does Your Garden Grow?

Do you have a great idea for your neighborhood? Or a way to bring people together around a common community need or improvement?   The District 5 Sacramento City Council Office is offering a total of $5,000 in seed grants ranging from $500 - $1,000 to neighborhood and community organizations.   

Recipients are awarded a maximum of $1,000 for physical improvements, marketing materials, community events, and other initiatives benefiting the community or increasing organizational capacity. Recipients are encouraged to use grant funds to leverage other funding sources and contributions.

Examples of potential projects include landscaping and beautification to areas of public access, community gardens, tree planting, and neighborhood signs. Projects can be sited either on private land--as long as the site is visible and accessible to all neighborhood residents--or on memorial squares, portions of city parks, or other public lands, pending city approval. Existing community gardens and pocket parks are also eligible.  

The goals of the program are to promote healthier, safer, and cleaner neighborhoods; to improve neighborhood appearance; to encourage neighborhood residents to engage in bettering their environment; to demonstrate collaboration with community groups and organizations; to develop leadership within the neighborhood; and to enhance partnerships between community organizations and the City.  

How to Apply: In 500 words or less describe how, if awarded, the funds would be used and how this would improve your community.
Applications are reviewed by a selection committee and should be received no later than March 1, 2013.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Councilmember Schenirer's office at 916-808-7005 or send an e-mail to rrruano@cityofsacramento.org.  Submit your application by: 

Email: rruano@cityofsacramento.org 

Fax: 916–264-7680 (Attention:  Rosio Ruano or Joe Devlin)

Mail:  Councilmember Jay Schenirer, 915 I Street, 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814

Dollars & Sense - College Financial Aid Workshops

Is your head spinning trying to make sense out of college financial aid programs and forms?
Don't stress - help is available! 

The Sacramento Public Library is hosting two FREE workshops that will explain the basics of grants, scholarships, work study and loans.  You will also learn about the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  This is the one financial aid application form that ALL college-bound seniors should fill out.

The workshops will be presented by Marilyn Van Loben Sels, a certified college counselor with more than fifteen years experience.  The workshops will be held on Wednesday, January 11 at 6:30 pm and Wednesday, January 18 at 6:30 pm at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive in Sacramento.

Registration is required by calling the Sacramento Public Library at 916-264-2920 or by visiting http://www.saclibrary.org/

Supermarket Scrip Programs Benefit Our Community

Since September 1998, the Florin Road Foundation has raised over $267,000 for local K-12 educational enrichment programs, college scholarships, and activities for senior citizens in the Florin Road community. This amount includes money from private and business donations, fundraising events, and corporate grants.

In 2009, the Foundation began participating in several new fundraising programs.

Two of these are scrip programs provided by Raley's/Bel Air/Nob Hill Foods/Food Source and by SaveMart/FoodMaxx/Lucky supermarkets.

Shoppers simply present their scrip card when making purchases and the stores then make a donation to us. There is no charge to the customer for participating in this program. Complimentary scrip cards are available from our office.