Four community groups will receive more money from the District of Sooke next year.
The groups received extensions to their service grants.
Service agreements are grants given by council to non-profit organizations to help cover costs and ensure the groups can continue to provide services to the community.
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Among the the recipients:
• The Sooke Community Association will continue to receive a grant of $28,000 for the next five years, with a two per cent increase each year. The money is to help with the operation of the Sooke Community Hall, which provides space for non-profit organizations such as Meals on Wheels, the Sooke Food Bank, the Sooke Boxing, hockey, football and soccer clubs, and Sooke Fall Fair.
• The Sooke Region Historical Society will receive $23,650 (up from last year’s $21,225), with a an additional $2,000 annual increase for the first two years to help with the raise in minimum wage, as well as a two per cent increase every year for the next five years.
• The Sooke Region Tourism Association received $23,000 with a two per cent increase each year for the next five years.
• The Sooke Region Community Health Initiative will get $17,500 grant, with a two per cent increase each year for the next five years. The initiative is committed to improving the health and welfare of people in the region, advancing education to both youth and adults through workshops and training sessions, helping charities, and researching, developing, and delivering community-based health and social services.
“The various groups provide excellent service to the community, which we value and appreciate,” said Mayor Maja Tait.