By the Journal of Commerce

The community advisory board of Seattle-based American Seafoods Co. is accepting applications through Feb. 19 for its Alaska community grant program. The company has allocated $30,000 to be awarded at its Feb. 28 meeting to various Alaska community projects that tackle issues such as hunger, housing, safety, education, natural resources and cultural activities.

In December, the board awarded grants to a variety of programs, $3,000 to the Akutan Volunteer Fire Department, $4,000 to the Bristol Bay Native Association Regional Food Bank, $2,500 to the St. Paul Department of Public Safety, $2,200 to the Living-Room Ministry Community and $1,500 to the Hooper Bay Police Department.

The board evaluates each funding request based upon the following criteria: how the funds will be used, need in the community, the intended benefits and who will benefit from the program, geographic area served, and availability of other matching funds. Applications for the grant program are available online at www.americanseafoods.com, or by contacting Kim Lynch at kim.lynch@americanseafoods.com or (206) 256-2659.