House of Bread to give school items, food
House of Bread Deliverance, 1501 W. Second Ave., will sponsor its ninth annual Youth Funday from 1-4 p.m. Saturday.
Children must be present to receive a free backpack with school supplies. Funday will also consist of giveaways, activities, free food and door prizes. The event is free to attend, according to a news release.
Details: Saint Mary Harris, House of Bread senior pastor, (870) 872-2196.
Citywide mission to meet
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Citywide Mission’s monthly meeting will be held at 1 p.m. July 22 at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 1317 S. Texas St. Annetta Jackson of Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church will be the guest speaker.
New Jerusalem’s pastor is the Rev. M. Kriston Wilson and Mt. Nebo’s pastor is the Rev. Larry Battles, according to a news release.
Mt. Carmel sets scholarship fashion show
The Mt. Carmel Student Scholarship Fashion Show and Brunch will be held at noon Aug. 3 in the fellowship hall of Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 900 S. Grant St.
Tickets are $20 and available from any member of Mt Carmel Mission Department or at the door.
“Please come out to support our youth department and help them further their education,” a spokesman said in the news release.
URA plans special meeting
Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency will hold a special called board meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at URA board room, 417 W. Sixth Ave. Details: Chandra Griffin, URA executive director, (870) 209-0323.
Flooding problems to be addressed
The community is invited to attend the Arkansas Black Mayors Association’s Community Presentation on Watershed Improvement Plans in two local areas, according to Stuff in The Bluff.com.
Pine Bluff — The event will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
Altheimer — The event will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 401 N. Elm St.
“There will be an open discussion on our comprehensive action plan,” according to the news release. “Experts in the field will join us to provide information on the proposed solutions for flooding.”
Those planning to attend the meeting should RSVP at https://www.abmawatershedproject.com/projects/city-of-pine-bluff or https://www.abmawatershedproject.com/projects/city-of-altheimer.
To learn more about the Arkansas Black Mayor Association’s Watershed Improvement Plans throughout the state, visit ABMAWatershedProject.com.
Pine Bluff among AARP grant recipients
AARP announced five organizations will receive 2024 Community Challenge grants in Arkansas, including Pine Bluff.
The grants are part of AARP’s largest community investment to date, with $3.8 million awarded among 343 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more, emphasizing the needs of adults 50-plus, according to the July 12 news release.
ARKANSAS PROJECTS
The City of Pine Bluff — The city will use the funding to conduct three bike audits led by community members 50-plus to determine where to add bike lanes to create safer transportation in the city.
Heber Springs — Breakin’ Bread Community Kitchen is a community kitchen providing free meals to those in need. This grant will help the organization replace a broken heating and air conditioning unit in their community dining room.
The City of Keiser — The city plans to use this grant to reimagine a local park, focusing on the needs of older adults, including low-impact exercise equipment, accessible walking tracks, ample shade and comfortable seating.
England — Melosong C.I.T.Y. is a community-based non-profit that operates the Ollie Woodard/Cassie Stewart Serenity Garden. Funds will help add amenities such as a bike rack and repair station, circuit training equipment, interactive musical instruments and a farm stand to distribute fruits and vegetables.
El Dorado — South Arkansas College plans to use its grant funding to teach a series of digital and financial literacy classes tailored to older adults. The classes will be led by volunteers.
FUNDING
The grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages, emphasizing people ages 50 and older. Since 2017, AARP Arkansas has awarded 28 grants and $313,084 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.
This year, AARP awarded three different grant opportunities, including flagship grants, capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability, bikeability and accessible home modifications, and demonstration grants that focus on equitable engagement to reconnect communities, housing choice design competitions and improving digital connections to endure disasters.
With funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the program is increasing its investment in pedestrian safety projects that will improve streets and sidewalks, create vibrant pedestrian infrastructure, engage community members and much more. AARP is also bolstering its investment in community resilience, rural communities, and addressing disparities.
AARP Community Challenge grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Projects must be completed by Dec. 15, 2024.
View the full list of grant recipients and their project descriptions at aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.