Rotary Club of Farmville Awards $10,250 in Grant Funding

We are proud to announce that Better Days of Southside Virginia and the Southside Family YMCA have been selected as recipients of the Club’s 4th Annual Community Grant Program, supporting projects that strengthen the Farmville–Prince Edward community.

Better Days of Southside Virginia will receive $4,250 to support improvements to its warehouse facility on South Street in Farmville. The project will fund the installation of vertical storage racks, helping protect donated items from flooding while creating additional organizational space. These improvements will allow Better Days to expand its capacity to receive and store donations, reduce reliance on temporary storage units, and ensure essential items remain protected during high-water events.

The Southside Family YMCA will receive $6,000 to support renovations to its multi-purpose room, including the addition of a kitchenette and workstation area. The space will serve as a warming and charging station during inclement weather and power outages, as well as a food preparation area in collaboration with FACES and YMCA programs.

This year, the Rotary Club received 10 outstanding applications, with total funding requests exceeding $60,000. Organizations applying for the grant included:
• Southside Virginia Family YMCA
• Better Days of Southside Virginia
• STEPS, Inc.
• FACES Food Pantry
• Piedmont Habitat for Humanity
• Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire Department
• A Giving Tree
• Skylar’s Love Mission
• Linny’s Clubhouse
• Heartland Horse Heroes

The Rotary Club of Farmville’s Annual Community Grant Program supports nonprofit organizations whose work enhances the quality of life for residents of Farmville and Prince Edward County, while often serving a broader regional impact. Grants are intended to support capital or equipment projects, though flexibility is maintained to support particularly impactful initiatives.

“Our Club is extremely proud to support Better Days of Southside Virginia and the Southside Family YMCA in their efforts to improve their facilities, which will ultimately allow them to better serve our community,” said Club President Anne Tyler Paulek. “Both projects align with our Club’s strategic priorities by addressing housing stability and supporting education and community resilience in Farmville and Prince Edward County.”

Sarah Spears, Director of Better Days of Southside Virginia, added, “This grant will allow Better Days to expand our capacity and better protect the donations we receive, ensuring we can continue to meet the growing needs of our neighbors.”

Sharon Stitler, VP of Operations for the Southside Virginia Family YMCA, added, “This grant will help us serve our members and community members. We will open the space up for non-profits, warming, and cooling stations to residents through emergencies during operational hours. Thank you so much for supporting the SSVA Family Y with the Rotary of Farmville Multi-Purpose Room powered by Lowe’s.”

We extend our appreciation to all organizations that applied and for the important work they do to strengthen the Farmville–Prince Edward community.

We also thank our FY2025–2026 sponsors, whose continued support makes this grant program possible and allows Rotary to have a meaningful impact locally. Those sponsors are listed in the sidebar.