Did you know you can apply for a Neighbourhood Small Grant of up to $500 to host an activity in your community? (Pictured above: Toronto Avenue block party.)
All throughout Penticton, block parties and social events have been popping up in recent years thanks to this community development grant program offered in partnership from the City of Penticton and Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen.
And this year, $7,500 is still up for grabs in grant funding, with the deadline to apply having been extended to May 31, 2022.
This grant may be used on any activity, event or object that benefits your community or brings people together.
Some Ideas
- Block party
- Live music
- Outdoor movie night
- Picnic
- Little free library
- Sharing cupboard
- Community garden
- Scavenger hunt
- Book club
- Care hampers for seniors
- Workshops, yoga classes, walking club, etc.
Hear it from the Locals
Here are some examples of recent events.
Sidewalk Star Gazing Nights in Penticton
Local astronomer Dr. Trey Wenger organized half a dozen Star Gazing Nights across Penticton in 2021. It was a great success with approximately 200 people peering through the scope at several locations along the city's beaches.
"The biggest success was seeing people's reactions when they looked through the telescope,” said Wenger. "I enjoy teaching people about all of the interesting phenomena in the sky that they never knew were there.”
Outdoor Movie Nights at Glen Place
When An applied for a Neighbourhood Small Grant, she wrote: "We were a very social cul-de-sac pre-pandemic and held neighbourhood events such as BBQs and hangouts. Now, it seems we have all lost touch a bit."
Their idea? To hold kid-appropriate outdoor movie nights to encourage neighbours to get together and get to know one another again.
"Our first Glen Place Neighbourhood movie night was a hit! Some people who were just curious stopped by and ended up staying the entire movie. Afterwards, people stayed and chatted. … Many who have lived on the street for a long time mentioned it felt ‘like the good old days.’”
Nesbitt Crescent Block Party
Laurel's goal was to bring people together with food. Invitations were distributed and followed up with a friendly knock to give more information and remind neighbours to bring chairs and tables.
"I am so grateful to the City of Penticton and the Community Foundation for making this event possible. It was a dream come true. The neighbours all asked that it become an annual thing... we'll see what we can do to make that happen."
They set up a basketball and hockey net, a toy station with car mats, chalk art and dress-up costumes.
"The highlights were seeing people gathered around the fire, kids laughing and playing games, and people getting excited about food… The neighbours shared memories around food and talked about what they used to make in their homes."
How to Apply
The application deadline has been extended to May 31, 2022 . For more information or to apply, please visit the City's Small Grants page or call 250-490-2512.