LTC 215-2021 City's COVID Response Food Pantry ServicesB{ A II +i l
OFFICE OF
NO. L TC# 215-2021 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
Alina T. Hudak, City Mana~
May 20, 2021 (}}\"'
1
SUBJECT: City's COVID Response Food Pantry Services
The purpose of this Letter To Commission is to advise that demand for the City's food
pantry service, established to support food insecure residents adversely impacted by
COVID, has been declining consistently for the past two months and has reached an all-
time low demonstrating that need for these services have been diminished as the
economy as opened and residents have returned to work.
The City began providing emergency food services in March 2020 to food insecure
households impacted by employment layoffs triggered by COVID. At its peak, the program
served 500 households per week providing grocery packages and kosher options. The
food program was funded by a General Fund allocation of $400,000 that was initially slated
to provide assistance for four ( 4) months. However, $135,887 remains as donations from
Commissioner David Richardson, Feeding South Florida and Farm Share as well as the
of leveraging bulk purchases and seasonal offerings on produce helped to reduce costs.
The decline in program participants has been consistent since February:
Pantry Program Participation
!4
10 117
O
•
LTC# ---- Page 2
Given the reduction in demand, the Administration will phase out the pantry program
providing residents with four-week notice. During this time, staff will provide registration
assistance to those residents who are eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program and have yet to apply. In addition, staff is available to assist eligible households
applying for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children
(WIC) and Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF).
The City also will continue its Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) services
which includes the provision of food vouchers for those households awaiting SNAP
benefits.
If you have any questions, please see me or Maria Ruiz, Director, Office of Housing and
Community Services.
ATH/MM/MLR