2023 Build With Bags Grant Recipients
New park benches, trash receptacles, and picnic tables will help to beautify parks and schools throughout Iowa this spring and summer, courtesy of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association’s Build with Bags program.
Eight Iowa communities will be receiving grants of up to $2,000 to purchase items made from recycled plastic bags. Items include park benches made by Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls. One park bench represents approximately 10,600 bags that won’t end up in the landfill.
A total of 16 applications were submitted from which eight winners were selected by a committee of representatives in support of the Build with Bags program. Each committee member individually scored the applications. The scores were then combined for an overall point total. This year, the top eight applicants with the most points received grants totaling $13,267.
To date, the program has awarded a total of $394,258.
Eight Iowa communities will be receiving grants of up to $2,000 to purchase items made from recycled plastic bags. Items include park benches made by Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls. One park bench represents approximately 10,600 bags that won’t end up in the landfill.
A total of 16 applications were submitted from which eight winners were selected by a committee of representatives in support of the Build with Bags program. Each committee member individually scored the applications. The scores were then combined for an overall point total. This year, the top eight applicants with the most points received grants totaling $13,267.
To date, the program has awarded a total of $394,258.
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Chapel View Manor Mount Vernon, IA $714 — One picnic table for outdoor area Endorsed by Peter Dietrich, Gary's Foods |
City of Havelock Hometown Pride Committee Havelock, IA $1,626 — Two picnic tables for city park Endorsed by Kent Wood, Woods Supermarket |
Friends of the West Branch Public Library West Branch, IA $1,190 — Picnic table for library greenspace Endorsed by Joel Miller, Hy-Vee Iowa City |
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Laurens Hometown Pride Committee Laurens, IA $1,912 — Five trash receptacles for park Endorsed by Rita Schmidt, Laurens Food Pride |
Oelwein Community Schools Oelwein, IA $2,000 — Five benches for school garden Endorsed by Paul Schemmel, Fareway Oelwein |
Pocahontas Hometown Pride Committee Pocahontas, IA $1,825 — Five benches for park Endorsed by Kent Wood, Woods Supermarket |
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Wayne County Fair Corydon, IA $2,000 — Four benches and a picnic table for county fair Endorsed by Becca Bellman, Hy-Vee Corydon |
Winneshiek County Conservation Board Fort Atkinson, IA $2,000 — Six picnic tables for shelter at park Endorsed by Ariana Cervantes, Hy-Vee Decorah |
Applications were evaluated based on set criteria that included a statement of need for the grant and the community’s own plastic bag recycling efforts. Grant applicants were also asked to verify the recycled plastic content in the products they were looking to purchase and to obtain an endorsement letter from a local grocer who is supportive of the community’s project and recycling plans.
Geographic location also played a factor as the committee sought to disperse the grant awards around the state of Iowa. Local Iowa grocers played an important role in making the grants possible. Store representatives throughout the state wrote letters of support that led to their communities being selected to receive a grant.
Geographic location also played a factor as the committee sought to disperse the grant awards around the state of Iowa. Local Iowa grocers played an important role in making the grants possible. Store representatives throughout the state wrote letters of support that led to their communities being selected to receive a grant.
