Fred Meyer Foundation grant helps club’s Project Learn program

The Boys and Girls Club recently received a $30,000 grant from the Fred Meyer Foundation that will aid in its effort to help keep kids on track in their formative years.

The Fred Meyer funds will help fuel the Project Learn program, an “educational program that infuses high yield learning into every program area,” according to the club. It strives to reinforce the skills kids are learning at school each day.

“This is the first year we’ve run the program,” said Ryan Davenport, the club’s executive director. “It’s been super successful so far.”

The donation from Fred Meyer is part of $1.5 million the chain awards each year. It is the second large award the Spokane club has received from the Northwest retailer. Fred Meyer awarded the club $50,000 a few years ago.

The Fred Meyer Foundation boasts a $5 million nest egg. It is funded primarily by employee payroll donations with help from customers who contribute spare change at check stands.

The foundation is popular with those who contribute because the overhead is covered by Fred Meyer so all donations are directed to the charity.

Also, money that is collected in Spokane stays in the area. Committee members in each store get to determine how money is spent. Other recipients of company grants include the East Central Community Center, the Spokane Valley Food Bank and Post Falls Public Library.

Store employees get to decide where in the community the money goes, said Fred Meyer’s Cindy Baker.

– Paul Delaney