The International Paper Company Foundation and Riverdale Mill distributed more than $55,000 in grants to 24 local non-profit agencies and schools Thursday during a luncheon at Our House Restaurant.

Included among those grants were 19 Employment Involvement grants, which are sponsored by IP employees who volunteer with an agency or school.

“These IP Foundation grants represent just one way our company works to be a good neighbor,” said Kirk Carlson, Manager of Operational Services at the Riverdale Mill. “While the financial assistance helps local agencies and schools, the Employee Involvement grants are contingent on employees spending their time in the community volunteering. Their efforts multiply the impact of these grants many times over.”

Carlson attended the luncheon to help distribute the grant money and certificates.

Both the Dallas County and the Selma City School Systems were awarded $2,500 to assist with general school operations.

Among the local public schools that received funds from IP include Meadowview Elementary, Clark Elementary, Shiloh Elementary, Sophia P. Kingston Elementary, Byrd Elementary, Cedar Park Elementary, Dallas County High, Payne Elementary and Five Points Elementary.

Pam Frasier, Communications Manager for IP, said there were also a few non-profit agencies that were new to the IP Foundation this year.

The Selma-Dallas County Sav-A-Life received $2,000 to support teen pregnancy prevention programs for middle and high school students.

Boy Scout Troop 30 and Pack 30 received $2,000 to purchase scouting equipment and establish a uniform closet for scouts who are unable to afford uniforms.

The Lawley Volunteer Fire Department received $2,303 for fire fighting equipment.

“The employee who sponsored this grant, Danny O’Dell, is a volunteer for this fire department,” Frasier said.

The Sardis Churches Unity Fellowship and the Tyler Rose Organization each received $1,000 for programs to help at-risk youth.

The Selma Community Concert Association received $2,500 to support the organization’s Arts in Education program.

The Selma Disabilities Advocacy Program was awarded $2,500 to help fund after-school and summer tutoring programs for children with learning disabilities.

The Dallas County Department of Human Resources received $2,550 to purchase materials and supplies for a new program to help girls between the ages of 12 to 17 resolve conflict, improve communication and learn basic negotiation skills.

Finally, the Selma-Dallas County Centre for Commerce received $3,000 for it’s Selma-Dallas County Youth Leadership program.

The IP Foundation has been providing funding to schools and non-profit organizations for over 50 years.

“The IP Foundation distributed grants to more organizations this year,” Frasier said. “Last year around 19 schools and agencies were involved. We try to help as many applicants as we can.”