This year’s community grants have been issued by BriarPatch Co-op. Four local groups have received 500 dollars each. That includes Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release, according to a volunteer for that group, Ann Wuestling…

click to listen to Ann Wuestling

Wuestling says the busy season is normally early May to late August. But she says the grant might also be used this winter…

click to listen to Ann Wuestling

Also receiving 500 dollar grants this year are: Nevada County Grown, to help host their “Bounty of the County”, which raises awareness of local agriculture…Bitney High School, so they can purchase a water dispenser to encourage the use of refillable bottles…and Hospitality House, to purchase insulated food carriers. Funds are raised from shoppers who donate the change from their purchases as they check out. Since the competitive grant program began in 1999, around 100-thousand dollars has been awarded.