It was a devastating blow for Butler County residents helped by Community Partnership Incorporated (CPI). This week, the Board of Directors announced it has permanently closed the nonprofit and said a financial audit is underway.
A “closed” sign sits near the door of the Franklin Township nonprofit, which is located along New Castle Road. The property includes CPI’s headquarters and a large garden, where staff members grew a lot of the harvest they gave away.
Channel 11 spoke with staff members off-camera, who described heartbreak and disappointment Tuesday. In a press release, the board announced the closure is due to “significant financial hardship.”
Staff said a lot of community members benefited from Fresh Bucks, a partnership with Butler City Farmers Market vendors that gave recipients coupons to use at the market for fresh produce. But those staff members said they couldn’t continue the program because there was no guarantee they’d be able to reimburse vendors. They told us this came as a shock and that the plug got pulled abruptly.
“This is an extraordinarily difficult moment for an organization that has meant so much to this community. There is real sadness in recognizing what is ending, but our responsibility now is to act with transparency, accountability, and care,” said Robert Shook, Board Chair of Community Partnership, Inc. “Our focus must remain on the people these programs were created to serve and on doing everything reasonably possible to support continuity of those services.”
The Board’s statement said its focus will remain on the people these programs were created to serve and doing everything reasonably possible to support the continuation of those services. Staff members said they still plan to deliver food boxes and will harvest as much as they can throughout September, with a goal of 5,000 pounds by year’s end.
The press release said CPI will communicate directly with clients regarding changes that may affect their programs or services, but community members are also encouraged to visit PA Navigate’s website or contact 211 to see what resources are available to them.
As for the financial audit underway, the press release said the review is intended to provide the Board with a clear, independent, and fact-based understanding of CPI’s financial practices, current financial condition, and the circumstances that contributed to the agency’s financial hardship.
“We know there will be many questions,” Shook said. “We are committed to answering those questions as transparently as we can while respecting the integrity of the independent review, our obligations to employees and clients, and any legal or regulatory requirements.”
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