From Office of State Representative Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Alexander Grey<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n Through the Neighborhood Assistance Program, seven projects in the 129th Legislative District have received more than $1.2 million in state funding, announced state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom combating food insecurity to ensuring that victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault have the support and safety they need, these projects will make a meaningful difference in our community,\u201d Cepeda-Freytiz said. \u201cI am grateful for the dedication of these organizations to helping our neighbors, and I am proud to continue supporting their important work.\u201d<\/p>\n The organizations that will receive funding from this program include:<\/p>\n $459,000\u00a0to\u00a0Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank<\/a>\u00a0to support year three of five in their renovation to add a community kitchen and annex to their building, which will produce frozen meals and provide space for nonprofits and affordable apartments. They will also receive\u00a0$109,850\u00a0for food purchasing and distribution costs.$414,000\u00a0to Our City Reading Inc. to support the development of the Helping Harvest Annex, including two Head Start classrooms and a playground for 34 children.$81,000\u00a0to\u00a0Safe Berks<\/a>\u00a0for upgrades to their confidential safe house to ensure security for domestic abuse and sexual assault victims. This includes improved video surveillance and access control, installing solar film on all windows to deter abusers, and repairs to a patio.$76,500\u00a0to\u00a0Reading Hospital<\/a>\u00a0to launch a \u201cFood as Medicine\u201d project to help 1,195 food-insecure patients receive healthy food and nutrition education.$54,000\u00a0to\u00a0United Way of Berks County<\/a>\u00a0to employ 225 high school students to tutor 360 elementary students to combat low literacy.$39,000\u00a0to\u00a0Centro Hispano Hispanic Center<\/a>\u00a0to cover the cost of 81,000 eight-ounce cartons of milk for children and the purchase of a commercial freezer to use for Meals on Wheels.<\/p>\n