The application deadline for restaurants to apply to the Stafford Cares: Supporting Restaurants and Families in Need project has been extended to March 19, 2021.
- Restaurants who wish to participate in the Stafford Cares program must complete an application online.
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism manages the first Stafford Cares project which will purchase meal cards or certificates from local restaurants and provide them to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in Stafford.
This program requires Stafford restaurants to apply online.
- The deadline for that application will now close on March 19, 2021. The extension of the application deadline will allow more time for restaurants to complete the application.
- “As a federally-funded program, a DUNS number is required and we are finding our local restaurants need more time to get that in place,” said John Holden, Director of Economic Development and Tourism.
Depending on restaurant participation, Stafford County will purchase a minimum of 99 meal certificates valued at approximately $7,400 worth of meal certificates from each restaurant.
- The total number of participating restaurants will impact the number of meal cards or certificates purchased from an individual restaurant. Roughly 3,500 SNAP recipient families in Stafford County will be served by this program and receive meal cards to local restaurants.
- The minimum benefit to any SNAP recipient family is $150.
This program is funded through a $782,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
- The grant is made possible by the partnership with DHCD, Stafford County Social Services, and the Stafford County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
Stafford Social Services Director Michael Muse adds that the “Stafford County Social Services’ mission is to strengthen the family structure while promoting self-reliance, responsibility for family, and empowerment by building on family strengths.
- We appreciate community participation and this alliance to bring revenue and meals to our community.”
Stafford Cares is a county wide initiative that includes a number of new programs and projects fostering the well-being of Stafford citizens and businesses.
- These programs are designed to help many in need, as the Stafford community recovers from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
- For more information and to apply, visit GoStaffordVA.com/Stafford-Cares.
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ARTfactory and Birmingham Green made headlines in Manassas this week. ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions, now Actors Theatre, won seven awards at the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, including Best Musical for Kinky Boots and Best Choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre also earned recognition, winning Best Theatre for Young Audiences for its production of The Wizard of Oz.
Meanwhile, Birmingham Green, ranked as Northern Virginia’s top nursing home by Newsweek Magazine, announced Duane Smith as its new Nursing Home Administrator, effective December 30, 2024. Smith brings extensive experience from senior living leadership roles across multiple states and holds several professional qualifications. Birmingham Green continues its 90-year mission of providing quality long-term care to Northern Virginians in need.
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Should Virginia ditch the longstanding practice of electing the General Assembly and the governor in odd year elections?
The first odd year election in Virginia was in 1851, after a new state Constitution was approved and members of the House were elected to a two-year term. Before that, members of the House had one-year terms, and voters selected members every single year.
Now, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says modern day voters are sick and tired of voting every year.
A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.
According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
