POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- Awesome Poughkeepsie gave out its first grant Thursday.
The group is a part of a worldwide initiative called the Awesome Foundation, in which trustees in local chapters donate money towards monthly grants which are usually $1,000. Awesome Poughkeepsie's first grant went to Mel's Place, a day homeless shelter formerly known as the Living Room.
The organization plans to use the money to get people using the shelter to volunteer to clean up areas of Poughkeepsie. Gift cards worth $10 will be given to each volunteer.
Mel’s Place is one of the departments of Mental Health America of Dutchess County.