City Council Gives Majority of CDBG Funds to Santee Food Bank

Last week the Santee City Council divvied up federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to local public service organizations after hearing from the public and leaders of nonprofits.

As in previous years, the Santee Food Bank and Meals-on-Wheels received the majority of the money, as the Council focused on organizations providing absolute necessities to those in need.

The available 2013 CDBG funds are expected to be $242,946, a reduction of about $26,000 from last year; and only $36,441 of the funds could be allocated to the public service organizations.

Every organization that requested funds were given funds, but each group received less than they asked for, the biggest discrepancy being with Crisis House, which received $16,000 less than asked.

Sam Modica, President of the Santee Santas, rescinded the groups request for $10,000 from the city at the previous council meeting, saying the charity had done well financially over the last year.