TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Rob Houston, City Manager
FROM: Leslie Hardy, Community Services Director
1. Subject
title
Acceptance and appropriation of $10,000 in American Recovery Act Program funding for Meal Gap Services.
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2. Summary
Staff is recommending the acceptance and appropriation of $10,000 in American Recovery Act Program funding received through the County of Orange for expenses to implement a fresh fruit and vegetable donation program for unhoused individuals experiencing food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
1. Accept into the City’s revenue budget $10,000 in American Recovery Act Program Funding from the County of Orange, into revenue account 550.7011.45150.30207, Reimbursable Capital Projects - Federal Grant Revenue.
2. Authorize the appropriation of $10,000 to 550.7011.56510.30207, CIP-Other Capital Outlay-Meal Gap FY 23.
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4. Fiscal Impact
The total appropriations for this program are funded by the revenue received from the American Recovery Act Program distributed by the County of Orange.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 1: Provide for a safe community
e: Develop and implement effective community outreach services and programs to promote public safety.
Goal 3: Enhance and promote quality of life in the community
e: Develop and strengthen collaborative partnerships to enhance and promote qaulity of life programs, projects, and services.
6. Discussion and Background
Background
In June 2020, the City received $229,825 through Orange County Supervisor, Don Wagner via the Coronavirus Relief Fund for the Senior Meal Gap program (SMGP). Using a voucher program, over 350 Orange seniors received $500 in vouchers to local restaurants for delivered meals and grocery stores. The Orange Senior Center/Orange Elderly Service (OES) was also able to expand its Meals on Wheels (MOW) program to provide meals on the weekends for its MOW participants.
On May 25, 2021, Supervisor Wagner’s Office notified the City that the Board of Supervisors approved $10 million ($2 million per District) from the American Recovery Act Program funding for an expanded food/meal gap program for seniors, persons with disabilities, and other individuals experiencing food insecurities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supervisor Wagner once again remitted his District 3 funds directly to the cities in his District, including the City of Orange. The City’s share of these funds was $459,659. The City used the second round of funding to address food insecurities among seniors, families, and persons with disabilities. Together with OES and the Friendly Center, the City was able to distribute grocery store gift cards in the amount up to $1,000 to over 600 program recipients.
Discussion
Orange County Supervisor Katarina Foley recently informed the City that her office had remaining funding for Meal Gap Programs. Staff submitted a proposal to the Supervisor’s Office for a third Meal Gap Program that would assist in meal distribution in services of the 517 W. Struck Transition Plan. As presented to the Supervisor, the City is partnering with the local nonprofit Abound Food Care to provide two hot meals a day (breakfast and lunch) Monday through Saturday, for the unsheltered population as part of the 517 W. Struck Transition Plan. The meals provided are consistent with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) “MyPlate” guidelines to ensure that recipients receive optimal nutrition from the meals distributed. Abound Food Care also offers medically tailored meals with dietary restrictions.
Orange Home Grown Foundation (OHG) is an Orange-based nonprofit that focuses on bringing locally grown, nutrient-dense food to the community. As part of their organization, OHG operates a local Certified Farmers and Artisans Market in Orange every Saturday. Historically, OHG has worked with local food banks and non-profits to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to populations in needs, including those experiencing homelessness. With the available meal gap funding, the City proposes utilizing the funds to secure fresh fruits and vegetables from OHG’s Farmers Market and donate these to Abound Food Care for the current meal program.
Supervisor Foley’s Office notified staff that the Supervisor would fund $10,000 towards the proposed program. Staff estimates that Abound Food Care can use the donated produce to assist with the preparation of approximately 1,000 meals in support of the 517 W. Struck Transition Plan. The City Manager executed an agreement with the County for receipt of these funds on July 14, 2022.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Subrecipient Agreement for Revenue Loss American Rescue Plan Act Funding