North Central Sight Services, Inc (NCSS) recently received a grant of $21,280 from the Lycoming Economic Development Foundation Fund IMO Joseph L. Rider at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania to be used towards equipment upgrades. This grant will be used towards the purchase of replacement shredding blades for our commercial and residential document shredding service, and a new shrink wrap machine to be used for assembly, packaging, and distribution of products to the federal government and commercial customers.
NCSS houses an industry where 75% of the employees are blind or visually impaired. Through the AbilityOne Program, NCSS manufactures, packages, and distributes SKILCRAFT® products to the State of Pennsylvania and the Federal government. The AbilityOne Program is an extraordinary socioeconomic program that provides Federal customers with a wide array of quality SKILCRAFT® products and services, while providing thousands of people with severe disabilities real jobs and increased independence. Every purchase creates jobs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired in our community so we may continue to enhance independence for individuals with unique visual capabilities.
In total, NCSS assembles 241 different products at their facility and has an additional 481 products that are drop shipped which are produced by AbilityOne associated agencies from around the country. These products are included on the Federal Procurement list. NCSS also offers products through the Pennsylvania State Use program and to commercial customers.
Since 2005, NCSS has also offered commercial and residential document shredding as part of its mission to provide employment to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The cost per pound is low and proceeds from the document shredding operation are put back into the community through prevention of blindness education, rehabilitation, and social services. In 2023, NCSS shredded 1,099,536 lbs. of paper throughout 12 counties. The quality of service provided enabled NCSS to secure a state contract consisting of an additional 10 counties. NCSS is now one of the largest document shredding providers in north central PA.
NCSS is the only provider of support services to six counties in north central Pennsylvania, significantly improving the independence and lives of those who are blind and visually impaired. The agency’s goal is to give people with visual impairments access to their community, maintain their independence and maximize their quality of life.
About First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania
The Foundation works to improve the quality of life in north central Pennsylvania through community leadership, the promotion of philanthropy, the strengthening of nonprofit impact and the perpetual stewardship of charitable assets. FCFP strives to create powerful communities through passionate giving. For more information visit www.FCFPartnership.org.