City Council Hears from Nonprofits on Grant Applications

Kayla Desroches/KMXT

The Kodiak City Council discussed grant money and met with nonprofit representatives at last night’s work session. Two of the organizations present were the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Councilmembers sat with groups’ grant applications in front of them and asked questions pertaining to the requests.

Bill Morrow from the American Red Cross stepped up first. Councilmember John Whiddon asked about a statement that said part of the requested $10,000 would go towards the salary of the disaster program manager.

“Would that disaster program manager who’s responsible for Kodiak – are they here in Kodiak – or are they in Anchorage?” said Whiddon.

“Actually, that’s me. I’m the one who’s responsible here. I go back and forth between the Mat-Su, Anchorage, and Kodiak.”

“But do you live in Anchorage?”

“No, I live in Wasilla,” said Morrow.

“So, that money would be spent on someone who doesn’t live in Kodiak,” said Whiddon. “I’m just trying to clarify.”

Morrow said the Red Cross has an office in Kodiak and he’s been in the city three times over a few days. He also said there are ten volunteers on the island.

Major Michael Bates from the Salvation Army also spoke. In response to a question about the number of individuals in the transitional housing the organization provides, he explained there have been twenty people who have benefited from the service in the past year. And he described those best fit for transitional housing.

“Meaning they’re gainfully employed – I’d like to sit that – and they have a goal set already. When I talk to them, I determine that, because if they transition to someplace, I don’t want to start from scratch. People who are gonna transition to somewhere, they have to have some idea of where they’re going and how they’re getting there,” said Bates.

He said that most of those who transition leave Kodiak for places like Anchorage, Kenai, or Wasilla.

“With the housing that’s limited in the community of Kodiak, of course we all know it’s very limited, so that’s a tough endeavor all in itself. People don’t want to stay here and move into the community transitioning from our facility. That’s very difficult for them.”

Bates said the branch does not receive support from the Salvation Army as an umbrella organization and draws funds instead from local government grants and community resources like the thrift store.

The council determined it would calculate the overall grant funds and then move forward from there before the next regular meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 13.

In the interest of full disclosure, KMXT is part of Kodiak Public Broadcasting and spoke on its own behalf regarding funding at the work session.