38 • OCTOBER 2019
The Current
News Droplets
Senior citizens and people with disabilities may qualify for discounts on their energy bill.
Avista is offering a rate discount program for electric and natural gas customers in Washington. To be eligible, customers must be senior citizens age 60+ or individuals living with a disability. The program is administered by SNAP for our customers residing in Spokane County. To find out if you’re income-eligible and learn more about the program, please contact SNAP at (509) 319-3020, email ratesdiscount@snapwa.org, or visit www.snapwa.org.
SV tourism available
funding
Firefighters money for coats
raising
The City of Spokane Valley is accepting applications from nonprofit and public agencies to fund events and marketing activities in 2020 that promote tourism and enhance the city’s local economy. Applications and any supporting documentation must be received by the city by 4 p.m. Oct. 4 to be considered for funding. Proposals will be accepted for activities that bring out-of-area visitors to Spokane Valley to enjoy local hotels, shops, restaurants, recreational activities and other services. The city’s Lodging Tax revenues provide funding for the tourism awards. Last year, 10 organizations received tourism awards ranging from $1,000 to $55,000 in support of local fairs and festivals, sporting events, visitor attraction and other tourism-related efforts. Applicants should review the city’s Lodging Tax Grant application for specific guidelines. Applications are accessible at spokanevalley.org (select “Departments” on top menu and then select “Finance”) or by contacting Sarah Farr at sfarr@spokanevalley.org or 7205041.
Donations are being collected for Operation Warm, an annual drive organized by Spokane Valley Firefighters Local 876. Last year, firefighters gave more than 400 brandnew winter coats to area children who didn’t have one. The coats are distributed through Spokane Valley schools. “This still leaves a lot of kids without a coat in Central, East and West Valley school districts,” Firefighter Scott Niebuhr said. This year, it’s hoped to extend Operation Warm to more elementary schools served by SVFD firefighters with the help of businesses, organizations and individuals who would like to help. A $20 donation buys one Spokane Valley child a brand-new coat. Donations can be made at www.OperationWarm. org/Spokane-Valley. Donations of new, unused winter weight coats are being accepted as well, and can be dropped off at any Spokane Valley fire station. For more, email svffoperationwarm@gmail. com. Coats will be collected through November, with distribution beginning earlier in the fall.