For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 31, 2020
ROCKVILLE, Md., Mar. 31, 2020—Today the Council unanimously approved a $260,000 special appropriation spearheaded by Councilmember Craig Rice 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. Councilmember Rice serves as chair of the Council's Education and Culture Committee.
Council President Sidney Katz and Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz, Hans Riemer, Will Jawando, Evan Glass and Nancy Navarro cosponsored 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 45 locations throughout the county," said Councilmember Rice. "Manna Food Center has collaborated with MCPS to address the weekend gap by providing Smart Sacks on Fridays to children and their families. 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 must specify the source of funds to finance it.
The Council staff report on this special appropriation can be viewed here.
# # #
Release ID: 20-122