SPRUCE PINE – The WAMY Community Action organization has been awarded grant funding through the AMY Wellness Foundation.
Jacqueline Hinshaw of WAMY made the news official by announcing the organization’s receipt of the funding Monday, Oct. 14, at the regular meeting of the Spruce Pine Town Council.
Hinshaw approached the council Monday, Sept. 9, and asked them for a resolution of support for WAMY’s efforts to secure the funding, which the council unanimously approved at the time.
In her most recent address of the council, she thanked them for their support and added their support was vital in securing the funding.
“It really did help us to at least secure one grant,” Hinshaw said.
Hinshaw did not reveal the exact amount of grant funding during her address to the council. The Mitchell News-Journal requested the funding amount from Hinshaw, who said WAMY Executive Director Melissa Soto advised her not to share the amount until AMY publicly releases its list of grant recipients.
AMY sent a press release announcing the release of its grant funds but did not list the recipients.
Requests from the Mitchell News-Journal for a list of recipients was denied.
WAMY applied for grant funding for purposes of housing coalition aid and food and security aid. The organization was awarded funding for its housing coalition but not for food and security.
While the organization was not given the maximum amount of available funding,
Hinshaw said it should provide a solid base with which the organization can move forward.
“It’s not a full ask, but it’s a really good start,” she said. “It will take us through part of the planning period, and it allows us to get to work.”
Hinshaw said WAMY will still move forward with seeking solutions for food and security needs in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties.
She added working alongside Neighbors Feeding Neighbors Food Ministry is a reasonable next step.
“It’s so meaningful to have community support,” Hinshaw said. “We’re going to keep working on food and security in these three counties.”