From the Desk of Rep. John Talley
(House of Representatives, OKC) — Recently, I had the great opportunity of notifying Racheal Condley, Director of Community Resourcing Inc., of a state grant they received. CRI operates Our Daily Bread & Resource Center and was awarded $105,169 through the Oklahoma Human Services’ Food Insecurity Grant Program!
The grant program was created by the Legislature in 2023 to manage the distribution of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) dollars. The program was designed to support the availability of affordable and nutritious foods in areas that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This support is an opportunity to provide more nutritious meals and offer other vital resources to ensure that none of our neighbors go to bed hungry. Oklahoma Human Services estimates that of the more than 500,000 Oklahomans experiencing food insecurity, nearly 200,000 are children.
I also want to share an update on a grant program the Legislature approved this year. The Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Grant Program, created through House Bill 2914, has $18 million available to distribute to county law enforcement services.
Offices receiving the grants may use them for training, technology, equipment, capital improvements and more. Counties can apply for grants ranging from $150,000 to $300,000, depending on their total tangible property valuation.
Sheriffs must complete the grant application, which also must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Sept. 6. More information, including the application, may be found at oklahoma.gov/oag by visiting the “Resources” tab and following “Grants.”
Before I close out my column this week, I want to add my voice to the many others that have expressed shock at the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
Violence is never the right response to political disagreements and should not be tolerated. I’m thankful the president sustained only minor injuries and appears to be doing well. I hurt for the family and friends of Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old former fire chief who was killed while shielding his family from the gunfire, as well as the other victims who are still hospitalized. Many others will be forever affected by this act of violence.
As always, please reach out if there’s anything I can assist with. You may contact me at 405-557-7304 or [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
