SIDNEY — The United Way has announced three Special Project Grant Applications were approved at the recently held December board meeting.

Maplewood United Methodist Church was awarded $3,375 to assist with the Jackson Center weekend backpack program to fight weekend hunger. Currently 90 Jackson Center students are provided a bag of food each Friday before leaving school. This is a community collaboration between the following churches: Maplewood UMC, Mount Tabor UMC, Jackson Center UMC, Grace Lutheran Church, St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Christ the King Church, and Only Believe Ministries.

The Shelby County Ministerial Association was awarded $3,500 to assist homeless individuals and/or families. Short term housing and case management will be provided with the intent to move toward sustainable permanent housing and employment.

The Shelby County Juvenile Court was awarded $2,000. Monies will be used to ensure Juveniles who successfully complete probation have the necessary documentation to be gainfully employed. Documentation can include governmental I.D.s, social security cards, birth certificates and transcripts for school graduation.

The United Way awards over $50,000 per year through Special Project Grants. To learn more about the Shelby County United Way or the Special Project Grant process, visit www.shelbycounitedway.org or contact Executive Director Scott Barr at 937-492-2101 or [email protected].