The Community Foundation of Portage and District (CFPD) was pleased to present four local non-profit groups with grants Tuesday.

Ecole Arthur Meighen School received $3,225, which will go toward their Breakfast and Lunch Programs. "It's a great way for the students to start the day, and they'll tell you themselves that it's the best," says Principal Kristin Zwarich. "It's fun to make new friends and it brings people together. Receiving this grant to further this program is a pleasure."

Westpark School got $400 for to help out a new reading program, and Teacher/Librarian Sarah Coull explains some of the details. "My idea is to pair older mature readers with younger readers, and bring them together around books they're excited to read that are interesting and new," says Coull. "They'll have an opportunity to read back and forth to each other and be able to ask questions, and challenge each other to dig deeper into literature."

The Glesby Centre was on the list of recipients. Executive Director Carolyn Gray says they'll be using the $17,500 for a new video projector with laser capabilities.

"Our projector leaves a lot to be desired shall I say," she laughs. "So this new one is going to provide top quality projecting capabilities for everything we do at the Glesby. We hope we can do more and more with all kinds of organizations in the community."

Sunset Palliative Care received $700 to develop a new website. "I certainly don't have the means or the ways to develop a new one," says Volunteer Coordinator Aldene Moroz "I can do a little but not a lot. It's exciting to have because we don't have to fundraise for the $700. That's a lot of hot dogs and hamburgers we need to sell."

The CFPD was pleased to help out the local organizations.