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Landrum grants Operation Hope $2,500

LANDRUM—With COVID-19 in full gear this week and businesses closed or having to lay off employees, the City of Landrum decided to help those in need.

Landrum City Council met Tuesday and decided to grant $2,500 to Operation Hope.

City officials said they will donate that amount now and possibly grant more money later if needed.

City administrator Rich Caplan said the city gave gift certificates to local restaurants to its employees to help local businesses to the tune of $800.

Caplan also said the city has leftover funding, including for the car show which now will not occur and other monies unspent for new businesses. The car show had a budget of $2,000 and new businesses had a budget of $3,500, so Caplan suggested the city help out an organization.

“So we have some money unspent that could be used in a meaningful way,” Caplan said.

City officials chose Operation Hope, which Caplan said has done a great job providing meals and helping people in need.

Mayor Bob Briggs said the school system has done a great job providing meals throughout the district, but inside the city, Operation Hope has done a tremendous job. He also said Operation Hope represents many of the local churches.

Caplan suggested the city giving Operation Hope they money and letting them purchase the food or whatever is needed. The city has about $5,500. Caplan said Operation Hope is anticipating other needs in the future besides food, such as household bills and rent. Council decided to grant Operation Hope $2,500 now and will re-evaluate the needs later to possibly grant more funding in the future.