The United Way of Lackawanna County’s Community Investment Council—formerly known as the Grants and Program Development Committee—reviews special requests and awards grants to programs that serve unmet and emerging needs throughout the community.

Grantees in the past year include the American Red Cross, Scranton Chapter for flood relief; the American Red Cross, Wayne Pike Chapter for flood relief; Bethel AME’s Temporary Emergency Shelter to provide safe haven for homeless individuals; Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts to support the provision of quality pre-kindergarten programs to area children; the Housing Coalition of Lackawanna County, a public/private partnership which has brought millions of dollars into Lackawanna County for transitional housing and related services to address homelessness; and Meals on Wheels’ Fast Track Program which allows frail elderly to receive hot, home delivered meals for up to four weeks after being discharged from an acute care facility.