Submitted By
Tammie Grossman, Director, Development Customer Services
Reviewed By
AMZ
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Funding Grant Agreement Between the Village of Oak Park and Beyond Hunger in an Amount Not to Exceed $85,000 and Authorizing its Execution
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Overview
Overview
On May 24, 2021 the Village Manager presented a plan for use of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. As part of that presentation, there was a recommendation for immediate release of a portion of the funds for various services and expenses in FY 21. These services and expenses included lost revenues, pandemic expenses, essential worker compensation, food insecurities & rental assistance and local businesses aide. On July 6, 2021, Village staff presented a recommendation to the Village Board to provide funding to Beyond Hunger in the amount of $85,000.00 from the Village’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds related to the category of food insecurities. This item is a follow-up to that conversation. Attached to this item is an agreement which outlines the scope of work for these funds.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Approve the Resolution
Fiscal Impact
Under the American Rescue Plan Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the Village of Oak Park’s allotment is $38,984,402.00, of which, $19,492,201 has already been received.
On May 24, 2021, the Village Manager recommended various immediate needs in FY 21, this included ongoing emergency aide to individual residents in categories such as a food and rental assistance.
On July 6, 2021, staff presented a more detailed plan for the funding which included Beyond Hunger. The Village is recommending use of $85,000.00 in ARPA funds to support Beyond Hunger’s efforts to provide low-income Oak Park residents with critical Covid-19 emergency response services to enhance food security. This agenda item is a continuation of the conversation.
On July 20, 2020, the Village awarded Beyond Hunger $85,000.00 in CDBG-CV Funds (fund from the federal program) to address the nutrition needs of 300 homebound, low-income seniors, people with disabilities, and those who are experiencing homelessness. This program provided recipients with 40 lbs. of groceries monthly.
On August 2, 2021, the Village Board approved funds in the amount of 14,079,820 for lost revenues in FY 20-FY 21.
Background
During their most recent fiscal year (July 2020 to June 2021), Beyond Hunger served 9,578 unique (35,000 duplicated - meaning one individual making multiple visits) individuals, 1,602 of them Oak Park residents (7,070 duplicated), or 16% of total unique clients (20% duplicated visitors). Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Beyond Hunger estimates that these numbers will increase in the coming fiscal year.
Beyond Hunger’s combined annual cost to operate the Oak Park Food Pantry, Home Delivery, Volunteer, Nutrition Education, and Social Service programs is $2,007,800. Of the over $2 million-dollar cost, $982,212 of this total is provided to the organization in cash, with in-kind food donations making up most of the remainder of the total need.
The recommendation is that the Village would provide a Funding Grant Agreement in the amount of $85,000.00 to Beyond Hunger to offset the costs (approximately 9%) of providing low-income Oak Park residents with critical COVID-19 response services to enhance food security. Funding will cover staffing, volunteer costs, supplies, food, printing, and indirect costs such as rent and electricity. See attached scope of services in proposed contract.
On July 20, 2020, the Village awarded Beyond Hunger $85,000.00 in CDBG-CV Funds to address the nutrition needs of 300 homebound, low-income seniors, people with disabilities, and those who are experiencing homelessness. This program provided recipients with 40 lbs. of groceries monthly. Beyond Hunger responded to the surges in food insecurity throughout the pandemic and is preparing for an additional increase when government funding comes to an end. Beyond Hunger adapted their Food Pantry to promote health and safety, implementing a drive-thru distribution model alongside a pedestrian pantry. Together, these models require significant increases in staff and volunteer time, as well as additional financial support.
With older adults and those with disabilities already at greater risk of hunger than other populations, COVID-19 further strained their ability to access adequate nutrition. Beyond Hunger supported such individuals in isolation by tripling their Home Delivery program during the pandemic and worked to offset isolation with monthly phone calls and nutrition education offerings. Connecting people to SNAP (Food stamps) and other federal benefits proved an integral part of Beyond Hungers COVID response that is ongoing. Additionally, Beyond Hunger has worked with local schools (public and private) to ensure that children receive meals in the summer when school is not in session (Note: Because Beyond Hunger does not track individual data on these children they have not counted in reportable service numbers).
The ARPA funds were received by the Village to respond to the impacts of Covid-19 in the community. The recommended funding, facilitated by the Funding Grant Agreement, would allow Beyond Hunger to serve Oak Park residents at risk of food insecurity due to the Covid-19 emergency.
Alternatives
Request additional information.
Previous Board Action
On July 6, 2021, the Village Board had a presentation on the ARPA eligible uses.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
Village staff reviewed the funding recommendations with the Oak Park Homeless Coalition. Food insecurity issues often lead to increased instances of homelessness and the funding to Beyond Hunger allows households to focus family resources on other necessities such as housing and medical needs.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
NA
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
NA