Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation held its annual Give Back Awards Tuesday evening.

The non-gaming license holder of Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson, GGCGC gave away $30,000 to five entities, each with $6,000. GGCGC Board member Bob Allen said their organization started this event a few years ago as a way to donate additional money, on top of their competitive grant awards, and without an application to those non-profits that make a difference everyday in Greene County. 

This year’s awardees include the food pantry in Jefferson, Greene County Action Resource Center; Greene County Congregate Meals, Greene County Adopt-A-Family, Greene County New Opportunities and at-risk students and the backpack program at Greene County and Paton-Churdan School Districts, with Greene County receiving $4,000 and P-C getting $2,000.

Representatives from each recipient organization gave updates with the same underlying message that all are seeing increased usage. Greene County Schools At-Risk Liaison and Equity Coordinator Emily Gannon said less fortunate students are given adequate winter clothing, as well as some are given food for the weekend through the Backpack program, where she is seeing 80 students per week taking food home for the weekend.

“It’s just really nice to have funds when a kid comes in and needs something very specific, I can go to the store, find what they need, and make sure it fits them and it’s comfortable, or I can just make sure that they have food in their belly that day.”   

Allen was pleased to continue this charitable event to all of this year’s recipients.

“And we’re just grateful to be in the same community as them, and like we shared with them today, we kind of have the easy part. They’re the ones doing the work everyday and really making a difference in other people’s lives. And so whatever we can do to help and our way today by doing the Give Back Awards is a financial way for us to help them and to get some money back into our community and our families.”       

Allen added that with the cost of food being on the rise, it has become more difficult for families to get food while also having to pay their rent or mortgage, utilities and other necessities.