State grants plan needs comments

The North Dakota Department of Commerce, Division of Community Services, said the state's 2009 Annual Action Plan is ready for public review and comment.

The plan serves as the state's grant application to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Community Development Block Grant, HOME and Emergency Shelter Grants programs.

It describes how funds will be distributed during the 2009 program year, which will begin April 1. Funds are expected to be received on or bout June 1.

The plan will be available on the Division of Community Services Web site, www.communityservices.nd.gov/community/consolidated-plan beginning Friday. Written comments must be received by Feb. 9.

Written comments should be sent to North Dakota Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 2057, Bismarck, N.D. 58502-2057.

Holiday donation aids Ruth Meiers

The Ruth Meiers Hospitality House in Bismarck has received more than $1,300 this holiday season from Denver Mattress Co.

The donation was raised from an in-store charity campaign.

Additional funds are expected to be raised through a secondary campaign underwritten by Denver Mattress.

Kristi Schmidt, development director at the Ruth Meiers Hospitality House, said the giving program helps "to continue with our mission of feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless and providing essential medical care to the underinsured and uninsured in our community."

Denver Mattress is a division of Furniture Row Companies.