Title
LISC Phoenix and Local First Arizona Foundation Agreements for COVID-19 Emergency Food Assistance - Amendment 2 (Ordinance S-47202)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, for second amendment to contracts with LISC Phoenix (LISC) and Local First Arizona Foundation (LFAF) to provide additional funding of $350,000 to LFAF and $150,000 to LISC for continued emergency food assistance to vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19 and to extend contract period through May 31, 2021. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. One-time funding is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Report
Summary
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Environmental Programs teamed with the Human Services Department to develop a food assistance plan to address the food needs of vulnerable populations and communities impacted by COVID-19. The plan addresses: (a) access to healthy foods for impacted populations; (b) infrastructure assistance regarding transportation, delivery with a focus on home delivery and storage of food; and (c) support for food banks and community agencies with increased operational costs. This plan is aligned with the City Manager’s guiding principles and strategic plan to deploy CARES Act funding.
The funding that has been provided to LISC and LFAF is funding access to healthy foods for impacted populations, equitably supporting existing organizations serving residents, recognizing the work already being done in diverse communities by the community, encouraging partnerships, supporting local business, and promoting innovation.
Entities receiving the funding include public school districts, nonprofits, community and grassroots organizations, farmers, community-supported agriculture (CSA), food hubs, mobile markets, restaurants and catering (including event venues). Funds were awarded through an open grant application process and awarded based on criteria established for organizational capacity, demonstrated need, and eligible costs (must be focused on activities related to the preparation and delivery of food boxes, produce, and take out/prepared meals) with outcomes for number of meals delivered and number of COVID-19-impacted individuals/families served. Work was initiated by LFAF grantees in August 2020 and LISC grantees in September 2020.
LFAF and LISC have been providing services to administer and manage the grant process, disbursing funds, and collecting compliance reporting data.
LFAF Accomplishments to Date:
46,678 meals and 2,696 CSA (local produce) boxes delivered from Aug. 3, 2020 through Dec. 5, 2020.
- 48 restaurants and caterers, 8 local farmers, 7 CSAs, and 1 food hub have received funding to purchase local produce, prepare and deliver meals, and for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- 25 social service organizations have received meals for clients living in zip codes most impacted by COVID-19.
- Approximately 5,000 Thanksgiving meals were provided to eight social service organizations.
LISC Accomplishments to Date:
226,389 meals were prepared by school districts and nonprofit/grassroots organizations through Oct. 30, 2020.
- 4 school districts and 10 nonprofit/grassroots organizations are preparing and delivering meals and food boxes for residents living in zip codes most impacted by COVID-19.
The additional $500,000 will be distributed as follows:
LFAF will receive a total of $350,000 with $300,000 disbursed directly to grantees, local farmers, community-supported agriculture (CSAs), food hubs, mobile markets, restaurants and catering (including event venues) and $50,000 to LFAF for its administrative fee. The additional funding will result in an increase of approximately 28,000 meals, including Christmas meals. Additionally, local farmers, restaurants, caterers, and CSAs benefit with continued income for their businesses and jobs. Local farmers are harvesting produce and this additional funding will provide a market for their products.
LISC will receive a total of $150,000, with $140,000 disbursed equally to the Alhambra, Balsz, Cartwright, and Roosevelt School Districts and $10,000 to LISC for its administrative fee. A total of approximately 126,000 meals will be provided for pick-up or delivery to families in COVID-19 impacted zip codes by these school districts.
The additional funds will be expended by May 30, 2021, as stipulated by this amendment.
Procurement Information
Services may be procured, as needed, by using procurement in accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10 to implement and administer programs intended to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 national pandemic.
Contract Term
The term of the contracts is extended from Dec. 31, 2020 to May 31, 2021. Contracts may be extended based on continuous need and available funding, which may be exercised by the City Manager or designee.
Financial Impact
- The original agreement for LISC was authorized for $1.1 million and the first amendment increased the authorization by an additional $93,000, for a total authorization of $1,193,000. This amendment will increase the authorization by an additional $150,000, for a new total authorization of $1,343,000.
- The original agreement for LFAF was authorized for $600,000 and the first amendment increased authorization by an additional $351,000, for a total authorization of $951,000. This amendment will increase the authorization by an additional $350,000, for a new total authorization of $1,301,000.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The City Council approved:
- Agreements for COVID-19 Emergency Food Assistance with LISC and LFAF (Ordinance S-46712) on June 3, 2020; and
- Agreements for COVID-19 Emergency Food Assistance with LISC and LFAF Amendment (Ordinance S-47066) on Nov. 4, 2020.
The City Council also allocated $500,000 in additional funds for food assistance at the City Council Policy Session on Dec. 8, 2020.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Office of Environmental Programs.