Project Impact announces 13 recipients with ideas to make Sudbury greater

Image | Project Impact 2018

Caption: Several groups are getting funding for Project Impact through the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury. (Jan Lakes/CBC)

Thirteen groups in Sudbury now have funding for small community projects they hope will have a big impact.
The recipients of Project Impact were recently announced. It's an initiative by the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury.
One project to get funding is called Food Bank 2.0, led by Charles Tossell. The idea is to set up a non-profit grocery store as an alternative for people struggling financially to access affordable and healthy food.
"We'd go around looking for great deals … and really stock up on it for the community," he said.
Lynn Simard-McMurray accepted money on behalf of the Ryan Heights Neighbourhood Association to set up bee hive hotels and spinning compost barrels. She says it will help enhance a community farm that was set up in the neighbourhood last year.

Image | Lynn Simard-McMurray

Caption: Lynn Simard-McMurray says the money will be used to set up bee hives and rain barrels in Ryan Heights. (Jan Lakes/CBC)

"They planted all kinds of wonderful vegetables," she said. "Then they got to sell it to their community."
The Wild at Heart Refuge Centre will be putting on a summer camp thanks to funding from Project Impact.
Aline Steenssens says the camp will focus on a number of topics, including caring and reintroducing animals back into the wild.

Image | Aline Steenssens

Caption: Aline Steenssens with Wild at Heart Refuge Centre, says the money will be used to offer a summer camp. (Jan Lakes/CBC)

"Everything has a role in wildlife," she said.
"Even the smallest butterfly or a little bird can mean the repopulation of a certain plant species."
Here is the complete list of recipients:
  • Bee Wary Bee Wise: bee houses or hotels to accommodate solitary bees.
  • Wild at Heart Day Camps: free day camps to be offered this summer, focusing on environmental issues like wildlife-human conflict and water pollution.
  • Seniors Helping Seniors: Coniston Community Garden's Seniors will grow food in a community garden and provide fresh produce to seniors who are not able to garden.
  • Food Bank 2.0: work to develop a non-profit grocery store
  • Ryan Heights bee hotels and composters: funding to build two bee hotels and spinning composters.
  • A sign in Bell Park explaining Indigenous history and the original name of Ramsey Lake.
  • Biking for Transportation or Wellness: funding to install a bike rack and fix up gently used bikes at Victoria Street Place, a transitional home run by the Canadian Mental Health Association.
  • Place Hurtise and Kewadin Community Gardens.
  • Girls are Strong Club: a group about how girls can raise their self-esteem, realize their potential and learn about body image.
  • Community painted rain barrels: funding to paint rain barrels in community gardens, parks or public places.
  • Citizen Scientists of Junction Creek: monthly environmental outreach events and guided walks to survey for plants and wildlife in the Junction Creek watershed.
  • Lights for the Garson Rink: funding to add outdoor lights at the outdoor rink.
  • Southgate Park cleanup: funding to make a green space a more usable as a neighbourhood park.