Explanation
Background:
The legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a grant agreement with St. Stephen’s Community Services, Inc. dba St. Stephen’s Community House (SSCH) in support of the Food and Nutrition Center (FNC) Delivery Program.
St Stephen’s Community House - Food and Nutrition Center (FNC) Delivery Program addresses food insecurity issues in the Linden community. The FNC Delivery Program provides the distribution of food boxes (35-40 pounds per household) to those vulnerable residents who are unable to utilize services at a traditional food pantry due to a variety of reasons - lack of transportation, physically disabled, lack of resources, homebound, etc. The program runs five days a week, delivering food boxes to over 250 households per week.
In April 2021, the FNC Delivery Program continued the services previously provided by the EasyMiles Automated Shuttles; which were delivering St. Stephen’s Community House FNC food boxes to Rosewind Community Center and surrounding area. The program currently uses SSCH vehicles to deliver the food boxes; employ staff to operate the program; and input all data into PantryTrak. This funding will be used to continue payroll and administrative costs for pantry assistants and delivery drivers.
The City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods has been a supporter of the FNC since 2022. Funding from the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods will be used to support the One Linden Community Plan Big Idea to “Support Resident Health - Consider alternative ways to get fresh/healthy foods to households”. The funding for this program supports households within the One Linden area.
Community Planning Area is Linden - 45
Contract Compliance: St. Stephen’s Community Services, Inc. - CC-006082 - Expired, getting updated
Fiscal Impact: Funding in an amount up to $35,000.00 is available in the General Fund
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow for immediate execution of this agreement in order to avoid any delay in providing the resources necessary to support the community.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a non-profit grant agreement with St. Stephen’s Community Services, Inc. dba St. Stephen’s Community House; to authorize the expenditures up to $35,000.00 from the Department of Neighborhoods General Fund 1000; to authorize the payment of expenses incurred starting September 1, 2024 and prior to the execution of a purchase order; and to declare an emergency. ($35,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, St. Stephen’s Community House is working in alignment with the One Linden Community Plan to improve the quality of life for residents.
WHEREAS, funding is needed to provide staffing support for the Food and Nutrition Center (FNC) Delivery Program to provide access to healthy food to those vulnerable residents who are unable to utilize services at a traditional food pantry (The Mid-Ohio Market at St. Stephen’s) due to a variety of reasons - lack of transportation, physically disabled, lack of resources, homebound, etc.
WHEREAS, an emergency exists such that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a grant agreement with St. Stephen’s Community Services, Inc. dba St. Stephen’s Community House to avoid any delay in providing the services and resources to serve residents, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peach, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Stephen’s Community Services, Inc. dba St. Stephen’s Community House in support of projects that align with the One Linden Community Plan to improve the quality of life for residents and that expenses incurred from September 1, 2024 but prior to the execution of a purchase order are permitted.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of an amount up to $35,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.