The St. Paul FCSS is trying to chip away at 21st century isolation by covering some of your tab to throw a block party.
The FCSS has launched Neighbourhood Block Party Program wherein residents can apply for a 150 dollar grant for supplies.
“Basically, we want people to get to know their neighbours”, says FCSS Director Lynn Smid. “To know who’s around them and who they can get together with to create a sense of community. If someone would like to host a neighbourhood block party, they just have to go on the St. Paul FCSS website and they can download the document and forums they need. Once we’ve okayed that block party we will cover up to a hundred fifty dollars when they submit receipts.”
Smid says she expects it should be about a week on average to get a block party approved. “[We’re] trying to decrease isolation, where people feel that they don’t know their neighbours, they don’t know who they could rely on if there was an emergency or they needed a hand.”
There are some exceptions that won’t be covered by the money; organizers will be on the hook for any alcohol they wish to buy. Smid says they’ve already had one call interested in putting a party on in the first day of the program.
If you’re intrested in organizing one yourself, you can find the registration form here, and the reimbursement form here.