Three local organizations have been awarded a combined $60,000 in grants from the G.L. Vitale Family Foundation this year.
The Galesburg Community Arts Center received $25,000, Carl Sandburg College received $25,000, and FISH Food Pantry received $10,000.
The art center is putting its grant toward The Kitchen Collective, a new phase of the center’s ongoing renovation project that will provide kitchen space for the community.
“The Kitchen Collective will be based on a shared community kitchen model open to foodie entrepreneurs, chefs, and caterers without access to a commercial kitchen, and will additionally be used for community culinary workshops focused on food sustainability and how-to’s, guest chef pop-ups, and support special events,” said Tuesday Cetin, executive director. “This project will allow us to combine food and art, both essential for the soul!”
Carl Sandburg College will use its grant to launch a Charge Forward Earn as You Learn initiative, which will provide financial aid for adult learners to help reduce barriers and sustain momentum toward completing their education.
“One of the most meaningful things we can do as a community is invest in people who are working hard to better their lives through education,” said Eric B. Johnson, vice president of advancement for Sandburg. “Many of our students are balancing work, family, and significant responsibilities while pursuing their goals. The Earn as You Learn initiative helps remove barriers, sustain momentum, and reinforce that they do not have to navigate that journey alone. It sends a powerful message to our students that they are seen, valued, and supported by a community that believes in their potential.”
FISH Food Pantry serves Galesburg by providing food for local residents who may be struggling at various times. It operates as a client choice pantry, allowing people to select their own groceries. According to its website, FISH serves more than 17,000 individuals each year, and staff say the need is growing. The pantry has served Knox County since 1970 and relies on community donations and volunteers.
The G.L. Vitale Family Foundation is an independent foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of Knox County residents in the areas of education, arts and culture, beautification, recreation, and health and wellness.
