For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 24, 2020
ROCKVILLE, Md., Mar. 24, 2020—Today Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice, who chairs the Education and Culture Committee, will introduce a special appropriation of $260,000 to support the efforts of Manna Food Center in addressing the increasing levels of food insecurity of children and families due to COVID-19 related school closures and economic impact. The Council is scheduled to vote on the special appropriation on March 30.
Council President Sidney Katz and Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz, Hans Riemer, Will Jawando, Evan Glass and Nancy Navarro are cosponsoring Councilmember Rice’s special appropriation.
“I applaud the tremendous effort of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in rapidly implementing their Grab-and-Go meal distribution to more than 40 locations throughout the county. Manna Food Center has collaborated with MCPS to address the weekend gap by providing Smart Sacks on Fridays to children and their families,” said Councilmember Rice. “Manna also has more flexibility in terms of locations for food distribution. This additional funding will support Manna as it expands its food delivery programs to support our students and families who are unable to access the MCPS distribution sites at this critical time of need.”
The funding from the special appropriation will be administered through the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services as a non-competitive contract award from the General Fund. Section 308 of the County Charter provides that a special appropriation is an appropriation which states that it is necessary to meet an unforeseen disaster or other emergency, or to act without delay in the public interest. Each special appropriation shall be approved by not less than six Councilmembers. The Council may approve a special appropriation at any time after public notice by news release. Each special appropriation shall specify the source of funds to finance it.
Notice to all residents: On the advice of public health experts, community members will not be given access to the Council Office Building during the state of emergency related to COVID-19. Residents are encouraged to use #FoodForOurFamilies for this Council agenda item on social media. In addition, emails on this topic can be sent to County.Council@montgomerycountymd.gov and mail can be sent to the County Council at 100 Md. Ave., Rockville, Md. 20850. Residents also can deliver any written documentation to the Council Office Building at the second floor entrance on the path from the parking garage next to the fish pond. Community members can also express their views by calling 240-777-7900.
Residents are encouraged to watch Council meetings on County Cable Montgomery (Xfinity/RCN Channel 6 or in HD at 996/1056 or on Fios Channel 30) or on the Council’s web page and Facebook Live (@MontgomeryCountyMdCouncil).
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Release ID: 20-108