USDA Awards Announced in Woodbine

WOODBINE — The United States Department of Agricultural—Rural Development has announced two grant awards made to the Borough of Woodbine.
USDA Rural Development is awarding grant funds totalling $37,400 to assist the Borough of Woodbine to renovate and upgrade their community food pantry.
With the generous assistance of $15,000 from the USDA in 2014, Woodbine was able to make a number of previous improvements to the Public Safety building. Those renovations made it easier for the food distribution to operate, which benefited the community as a whole.
Food distribution is provided once a month by the First Baptist Church of Woodbine and provides food to those in need. The food is supplied in partnership with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
The Community Food Bank of New Jersey is an organization dedicated to fighting hunger and poverty in New Jersey by assisting those in need by filling the emptiness caused by hunger with the basic human essentials that people need to survive.
Proposed upgrades under Phase 2 will include installation of additional heating and air-conditioning, replacement of two windows, insulation of existing ductwork, installation of insulating siding, adjustment of existing electrical boxes, painting of floor with anti-skid material, and lead-based paint evaluation of the project site.
USDA’s Community Facilities program provides affordable loans and grants to help rural communities develop essential community facilities.
Additionally, USDA Rural Development is awarding $2 million in loans & grants to help the Woodbine Municipal Utilities Authority (WMUA) make critical repairs and improvements to the Borough’s existing water treatment and distribution system.
Water quality in Woodbine has been consistently tested as well within the satisfactory limit as determined by New Jersey DEP and US-EPA, which requires us to test on a regular basis.
Our yearly Consumer Confidence Report reflects the high quaility of WMUA’s water supply.
This project will help to continue to maintain this water quality and natural environment and also create local jobs while helping the local economy.
“I wish to thank the USDA for all their support of Woodbine’s projects,” added Mayor Pikolycky. “I want to thank Congressman LoBiondo for assiting with this funding and for being in attendance at the award presentation ceremony. I also want to thank First Baptist Church which coordinates this food distribution with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.”