Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Food Leads, Inc. in support of its Healthy Connections program. This ordinance authorizes an upfront payment to Food Leads to support these efforts, as it does not currently have sufficient funds on-hand to await reimbursement for expenses incurred.
Healthy Connections will support 50 low-income Black seniors (60+) on Columbus’ Near East Side, a population disproportionately impacted by chronic illness, food insecurity, social isolation, and financial strain, while also possessing strong community ties and cultural knowledge that are powerful assets to support well-being. Over two free 8-week cohorts, participants receive weekly meal kits designed for heart health and diabetes management; walking groups that foster connection and peer support; nutrition and cooking classes offering practical, culturally relevant strategies for healthy eating; and art therapy and gardening sessions promoting creativity, physical activity, and emotional well-being. Together, these activities empower seniors to maintain their health, independence, and quality of life.
City Council is proposing $6,000.00 for the Healthy Connections program.
FISCAL IMPACT: $6,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency designation is requested in order for Food Leads, Inc. to ensure immediate service for food distribution and nutritional support to seniors in need.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with Food Leads, Inc. in support of its Healthy Connections program; to authorize the expenditure of $6,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize the expenditure of funds for the payment of reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses; and to declare an emergency. ($6,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is need to provide support and resources to our City’s low-income seniors; and
WHEREAS, Food Leads, Inc. is an organization that supports low-income seniors on the Near East Side, a population disproportionately impacted by chronic illness, food insecurity, social isolation, and financial strain; and
WHEREAS, the organization runs the Healthy Connections program for food and nutrition information access to provide for these needs; and
WHEREAS, Council is proposing support of $6,000.00 in support of this program; and
WHEREAS, $6,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk's Office in that it is necessary for the Clerk to enter into a contract immediately with Food Leads to ensure immediate service for food and nutrition information access to seniors in need, for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with Food Leads, Inc. in support of its Healthy Connections program for food and nutrition information access.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $6,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance, and that any and all of said expenditure may be used for the payment of reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the distribution of food and beverages associated with the execution of this grant agreement are deemed to be for a proper public purpose.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.