The Prince Edward Learning Centre is seeking funding from Prince Edward County to support several community support programs.
During Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, a delegation from the PELC requested $80,000 in funding annually for the remainder of the council term.
The funds are planned to support additional staff for their poverty reduction program, which seeks to reduce barriers between eligible residents and poverty-related services or programs.
Currently 18% of county residents are food insecure, and up to 3,500 people are living on income less than $36,400.
Councillor Roy Pennell was concerned that giving too much money away might result in having to raise taxes, and hurt the people the PELC was intended to help.
“I would like to give money to everybody. But I think as a council, we’re going to have to make some serious decisions this year,” said Councillor Pennell.
The request for funding was referred to the upcoming 2024 budget process with council.
