Apache Junction commission approves $100,000 community grants package, earmarks $45,000 for student backpacks

The Apache Junction Health & Human Services Commission on March 30 approved a recommended distribution of $100,000 in community grant funds and will present the package to City Council at a work session on April 20. The package passed after a roll-call vote in which commissioners adopted Option 2, 5–1.

Chairman Brennan opened the discussion by framing the panel’s mission: “our mission is to try and make as certain as possible that the funding is allocated for the citizens of Apache Junction,” and reminded members the total pool available was $100,000. Commissioners then reviewed requests from local nonprofits and community programs and proposed a set of allocation options to reconcile competing priorities.

Eric Steel, identified in the meeting as representing the local food bank, described how donations and in‑kind gifts factor into the organization’s budget and the cost of expanding its backpack program. “With in kind donations, our budget is there,” Steel said, noting food rescue and other nonmonetary contributions that increase the bank’s operating total.

After extended negotiation over whether to concentrate funds on a single large provider or distribute smaller awards across several groups, the commission voted to recommend Option 2. The final package includes the following allocations (as recorded by the commission and to be presented to City Council): New Leaf — $8,000 (crisis intervention and domestic violence outreach for Apache Junction residents; award limited to program services, not staff salaries); Apache Junction Community Development Corporation — $7,500 (code violation remediation and hazardous‑materials removal/cleanup); Azura Vita — $2,000 (income tax‑filing assistance for low‑ and moderate‑income Apache Junction individuals and families); Black & Gold Youth Football League — $7,000 (sports scholarships for Apache Junction youth); Boys & Girls Club — $3,000 (out‑of‑school programming and scholarships for Apache Junction youth); Kiwanis Club — $2,000 (backpack and school‑supply support and youth events); NASCare (behavioral health provider listed in materials as “NASDAQ”/“NASCare”) — $0; and the local food bank — $70,500, with $45,000 specified for the student backpack program and $25,500 for holiday boxes and other AJ‑focused services.

Commissioners attached conditions and clarifications to several awards. For New Leaf the commission specified funds be used for crisis intervention, domestic violence outreach and flexible housing/stability funds for Apache Junction residents and excluded use for employee salaries. For the food bank, commissioners sought assurances that the $45,000 for backpacks would be restricted to Apache Junction students and asked staff to include reporting requirements to document residency and program outcomes.

The vote on the final option was taken by roll call after a motion to reconsider the initial tally; on the deciding roll call commissioners recorded five yes votes and one no vote. The commission will deliver the recommended allocations and the specified project language to City Council at its April 20 work session. Chairman Brennan adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m.

(Reporting note: speaker names and roles are taken from the meeting transcript and roll‑call; where materials used alternate organization names these are noted in the provenance and clarifying details.)