Local Schools Earn Food Safety Grants, Say Rigby, Sankey

January 26, 2021

HARRISBURG – Two Cambria County schools which applied for food safety grants through the Pennsylvania Department of Education can both claim success today, according to state Reps. Jim Rigby (R-Johnstown) and Tommy Sankey (R-Hastings).

“As is the case with most grants, all the credit goes to the recipient and we’re simply the messengers,” said Rigby. “Anyone who has ever experienced the grant submission process is aware of all that is involved, sometimes for naught. I’m pleased to see both schools recognized for their need and awarded for their hard work.

The Richland Area School District and St. Michael School in Loretto both participate in the National School Lunch Program, which was a prerequisite for application. Funding for the grants is made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Richland Area’s junior and senior high schools will receive more than $6,500, which is dedicated to a new convection oven. The St. Michael School will use more than $13,000 to address the need for a working walk-in cooler.

“Use of the grant money is restricted to purchasing or upgrading equipment such as refrigerators, freezers, stoves, and dishwashers,” Sankey added. “More than $875,000 is being divided up among 59 elementary, middle, and high schools across the state.”

Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Rigby’s Johnstown district office at 814-536-9818 or Sankey’s Hastings office at 814-247-6210.