LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) – United Way granted WAFER Food Pantry with $1,549 in Venture Grant funding Thursday, as a part of their 70th anniversary celebration.
The venture grant allowed WAFER to purchase a much needed industrial floor cleaner. WAFER is heavily used facility by staff and patrons, which requires cleaning the floors often. Through this grant, the staff at WAFER were able to ditch their outdated cleaning supplies and clean their floors more efficiently, without risk of chemical contamination.
“Before, we used brooms, mop buckets and mops. So it did take a lot of man power and elbow grease in order to clean our facility. Still at the end it wasn’t a really great clean, whereas this item really gets down and can get all the dirt and grime off and really leaves us with a clean facility.. and one that is more food safe conscious.” WAFER Executive Director Erin Waldhart said.
WAFER is a certified United Way partner. United Way currently funds four WAFER programs.
Venture Grants were awarded to organizations around the city. Applicants were asked to describe how their program would help Great Rivers United Way and the community overall. Great Rivers United Way Community Impact Director Liz Evans says that the community had a large part in the grants that were given out to local organizations. Evans said its a good way to show how a small amount of money can be used in a big way.
“What I want people to remember is the money they give stays local. It’s helping right here in the community. It’s helping friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Even a little bit goes a very long way,” Evans said.
