The agreement includes financial support, as well as board-level assistance with fundraising, strategy and governance, with the goal of helping The Bin expand its reach in the north Mecklenburg area. Under terms of the agreement, The PCF will provide up to $10,000 in matching funds for the purchase of a large box truck by The Bin, as well as up to $10,000 in matching funds for expansion of The Bin's services and facilities. The PCF will also provide $2,000 to allow The Bin to upgrade its computer hardware and software.
The matching funds will be subject to The Bin achieving certain milestones in terms of volunteer hours, number of donors and household goods donations, among others.
"We have been tracking the progress of The Bin for the last couple years, and have been very impressed with their results, their efficiency and their contribution to the local community," says PCF President Todd Wiebusch. "On a very limited budget, this committed group has helped hundreds of people transition to more independent living in each of the last three years. They provide a very high return-on-investment to our local communities. "
"These matching grants will allow us to significantly increase the number of families we serve in our area," says The Bin President Alisa Grasso. "The addition of a box truck will enable us to collect and distribute even more household goods, and the additional operating funds will hopefully help us afford a move to larger space. We believe the need for our services in our communities is at least twice our current capacity. "
Founded in 2004 by a few professional organizers, The Bin served as a furniture bank for local families in need. In 2008, The Bin was formally established and in 2011 became an IRS approved 501(c)(3). The Bin provides gently used household items to families that shop with dignity at the staged house on Old Statesville Road in Huntersville. For more information, visit www.TheBin.org. For more information about PCF, visit www.ThePeninsulaCommunityFoundation.org.
Davidson's own on the Green
Hometown favorite The Rusty Knox Band will be the featured performers at this weekend's Concert on the Green event in Davidson.
The band will play Sunday, Aug. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Town Green in front of the library in downtown Davidson.
Knox's freshman CD, Reason Why, has been well received. Janet Goodman's review in Music News Nashville reads: "With a straightforward everyman's voice, Rusty brings lyrics that are down and dirty honest, from a reservoir of lifetime tales." Knox has been nominated for the 2012 Songwriter of the Year by The Charlotte Music Awards and The Rusty Knox Band has been nominated for the 2012 Americana/Bluegrass Band of the Year by both The Charlotte Music Awards and The Carolina Music Awards.
Davidson's Concerts on the Green are sponsored by the Town of Davidson, the Arts & Science Council, CMC-Huntersville, Peoples Bank, Cannon School, Our Town Cinemas, Davidson Village Inn, T.R. Lawing Realty Inc., The Lawrence Group and Great Clips.
Additional information can be found at www.concertsonthegreen.com.
Open houses for area schools
The first day of class for students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is Monday, Aug. 27, and to help prepare for the start of the 2012-13 year, area schools have announced open house schedules.
Initial open houses for schools in north Mecklenburg will be held Tuesday-Thursday, Aug. 21-23. Specific dates and times for open house programs at each local school:
• Tuesday, Aug 21: J.M. Alexander Middle School, 4-6 p.m.; Hopewell High School, 6:15-6:45 p.m. for grades 9 and new students, 6:45-7:45 p.m. for all other students.
• Wednesday, Aug. 22: Hough High School, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for incoming freshman and new students with the first complete PTSA open house scheduled for Sept. 18 6:30-9 p.m.; Bradley Middle School, 2-3:30 p.m. for grades 7-8 and 4-5:30 p.m. for sixth graders; Bailey Middle School, 3-4:30 p.m. for sixth graders and 5- 6:30 p.m. for grades 7-8;.
• Thursday, Aug. 23: Barnette Elementary, 5-7 p.m. for grades 1-5 with a special session for kindergarten students planned Thursday, Aug. 30 from 5:30-7 p.m.; Blythe Elementary, 4-6 p.m.; Cornelius Elementary, 4-6 p.m.; Davidson Elementary, grades 1-5, 5-6:30 p.m.; Huntersville Elementary, 4-6 p.m.; Long Creek Elementary, new students in grades 1-5, 5-6 p.m.; J.V. Washam Elementary, grades 1, 3 and 5, 4-5:30 p.m. and grades K, 2 and 4, 5-6:30 p.m.; Torrence Creek Elementary, kindergarten, 11 a.m-noon, grade 1, 12:30-1:30 p.m., grade 2, 2-3 p.m., grade 3, 3:30-4:30 p.m. and grades 4-5, 5-6 p.m.; North Mecklenburg High School, grades 10-12 from 9-11 a.m., grade 9, from 6-7 p.m. and an IB magnet parent meeting scheduled for 7-8 p.m.
