Newport Beach to give FISH funding

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- Friends in Service to Humanity will likely get

$38,500 to help provide meals to elderly and immobile residents, making

the agency one of a half-dozen social service agencies set to get a cut

of the city’s federal community development block grant funds.

“We look at the services the agencies are providing and whether

they’re providing them in Newport Beach specifically or in Orange

County,” said Dan Trimble of the city’s Community and Economic

Development Department, who made the recommendations the City Council

endorsed Tuesday. The matter will come back for final approval at the

April 9 council meeting.

“I was glad to see that the recipients are focused on issues like

emergency shelter and feeding the needy,” said Mayor Tod Ridgeway, who

supported the motion.

The city anticipates getting about $490,000 in the coming fiscal year

from the federal government in the form of community development block

grants. Local governments are allowed to give up to 15% of their grants

to nonprofit agencies that serve needy people in their communities.

Friends in Service to Humanity, best known as FISH, had asked for

$50,000 but will likely get $38,500 because city officials want to share

the wealth with other agencies. Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter is slated

to get $10,000; WISE Place is expected to get $5,000; Serving People in

Need is slated to received $10,000; and South County Senior Services will

likely get $10,000.

FISH Executive Director Debby O’Connor said the money is needed,

especially because the city’s senior population is increasing.

“The aging population is growing, and a lot of people who live here

have lived for years on fixed incomes,” O’Connor said. “This allows them

to get nutritious meals without leaving home.”

O’Connor added that disabled people, as well as seniors, benefit from

the program.

FISH also tries to serve as a safety net against homelessness by

providing rent subsidies, food and services to people considered at risk

of becoming homeless.

REFER BOX

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