Sentinel photo by MATT STRICKER
Vince Giordano, left, Juniata County Library Director and Tracie Logue Witter, Regional Affairs Director for PPL Electric Utilities stand with isters Hannah, 7, and Ella Whalen, 3, Mifflintown as they play together Friday at the Juniata County Library.

MIFFLINTOWN — The PPL Foundation awarded the Juniata County Library Inc. a sustaining grant in the amount of $1,500 as part of PPL’s Cover to Cover initiative to improve child literacy.

Tracie Logue Witter, regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities, presented Vince Giordano, director of the library with the grant Friday at the library in Mifflintown.

There were nearly 200 applications requesting funding during this highly competitive grant cycle. The PPL Foundation awarded $450,000 in grants to support more than 70 organizations working to empower the communities they serve, with a focus on education, workforce development or community revitalization. Of the grant applications received, 13 were selected for their focus on improving child literacy through reading and summer learning programs.

Giordano said the $1,500 will be directed toward funding the library’s year-long youth programming, including storytimes and overall programming.

“The library has a special mission to young children and their caregivers to encourage a love of reading and learning,” he said. “It continues a strong partnership between the Juniata County Library and PPL. This is a local partnership that is mutually beneficial. In a time when many business arrangements are made with companies outside of the area or state, our library sees it as important to keep our business local.”

According to a press release, PPL believes building a strong foundation is critical to the success of today’s students. Contributions in this area will support equitable and engaging high-quality educational opportunities for all students, with a particular emphasis on those in need. Programs supported through grants include, but are not limited to early childhood education; science, technology, engineering and math or STEM programs; literacy; summer learning; and career and college preparatory programs.

Through strategic partnerships, the PPL Foundation will support organizations that are doing innovative and groundbreaking work to create vital, sustainable communities and empowering each citizen to fulfill her or his potential. Since its inception in 2015, the PPL Foundation has contributed more than $6 million to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations in eastern and central Pennsylvania.

Giordano said the funding helps the library in a time when earning grant income is highly competitive.

“Conversely, state support for libraries has been reduced to 1982 levels, requiring libraries to be creative in seeking funding streams,” he said. “We believe that local partnerships such as this help create and sustain a thriving community based on lifelong learning.”