Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with HandsOn Central Ohio to provide anytime access to emergency food for Columbus residents through fully automated interactive voice and Al Chat channels. The total amount of the grant agreement is $60,000.00.
Last year, more than 150,000 emergency meals were accessed through agent-based chat and text scheduling on mobile phones and at handoncentralohio.org. Nearly half of food insecure residents in Columbus use HandsOn’s phone and online chat services to schedule emergency food appointments when presented with the option. Two and a half years after it was launched, it continues to deepen its impact on food security; more than 20% of all emergency food accessed across Columbus is secured through chat and text. This funding will allow continued improvement of this much needed service.
Emergency action is necessary to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of program services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this expenditure is allocated from both the Emergency Human Services Fund, $30,000.00 and the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, $30,000.00.
Title
To approve the grant application of HandsOn Central Ohio seeking financial assistance to address emergency human service needs pursuant to Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of $30,000.00 from the Emergency Human Services Fund; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $30,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize the Director of Development to execute a grant agreement with HandsOn Central Ohio to provide anytime access to emergency food for Columbus residents through fully automated interactive voice and Al Chat channels; and to declare an emergency. ($60,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, HandsOn Central Ohio has submitted a grant application seeking financial assistance; and
WHEREAS, City Council is authorized to allocate funds annually to...
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