United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA

Bucktown Center features 40 affordable apartments in downtown Dunmore for older adults. The $19 million project opened to residents this year.

Kids and seniors met for the first time to celebrate United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s first Pen Pal Day. And, two major railroad companies want to merge - and one part of Western Pennsylvania is watching the deal with high hopes.

For the last few months JoAnne Kuchinski has looked forward to receiving letters from nine-year-old Natalia Nash as part of an intergenerational pen pal program in Scranton. Participants met each other in person Monday for bonding over bingo.

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania Angel’s Attic Food & Clothing Pantry is now open every Tuesday until 7 p.m. The pantry is located at 410 Olive St., Scranton.

Instead of eligible seniors being able to receive up to $50 in vouchers, they can receive up to $25 starting in May. The reduction is due to an expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds used to supplement the program.

Across Pennsylvania, 49 projects received Multi-Purpose Community Facilities grant totaling $45 million from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. The funding is from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. In Northeast and Central PA, five organizations received a total of $6.8 million.