Community Grants Will Benefit Area Nonprofits

The Murrieta City Council is set to divvy out grants to area nonprofits.

The Council will be asked Tuesday to vote on which organizations will receive a share of $42,000 in community development block grants. Murrieta receives the funding each year as part of Riverside County's HUD program.

Applications were accepted and regarding the local allotments.

Eight applicants are seeking a combined $119,000 in grants for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, according to a staff report:

• St. Martha's Community Food Pantry applied for $40,000 for the purchase of emergency food for distribution.

• Senior Center of the Rancho Temecula Area applied for $10,000 for rent and food products.

• Michelle's Place Breast Cancer Resource Center applied for $10,000 for salaries, supplies and program costs.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County applied for $10,000 for salaries, supplies and program costs for before and after school care.

• Court Appointed Special Advocates for Riverside County (CASA) applied for $17,000 for salaries, benefits, supplies and background checks.

• Safe Alternatives for Everyone (SAFE), which offers domestic violence and family services, applied for $12,000 for salaries, benefits, supplies and other costs.

• Assistance League of Temecula Valley applied for $10,000 for client scholarships for clothing and hygiene items.

• Inland Valley Conservatory and Athletics applied for $5,000 to go toward the salary of an autism specialist.

In September, as community food pantries, women and children programs, domestic violence programs and children and youth development programs, respectively.

Community Development Director Mary Lanier said the grant allotments for the coming fiscal year are about $2,000 less than the previous year, and expects the amount to decrease below $40,000 in the following year.

"Each and every one of these agencies who comes before us deserves their chance to be heard because the situations are unique for each one of them..." Council member Rick Gibbs said at the September meeting.

Council members Randon Lane and Doug McAllister were appointed to a philanthropy subcommittee to review and discuss the applicants.

They are expected to share their findings at Tuesday's meeting, set for 6 p.m. at