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Q&A
Council Member Ayala discusses $20 million funding request with Joe Rosenberg
2:30:32
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99 sec
Council Member Diana Ayala engages in a Q&A session with Joe Rosenberg about a $20 million funding request for food pantries. They discuss how this funding compares to pandemic-era allocations and its necessity given rising food prices and potential federal funding cuts.
- Rosenberg explains the $20 million request is crucial due to increased need and rising food prices
- He mentions that Catholic Charities has lost $800,000 in Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding
- Rosenberg notes that while $20 million may not fully offset potential federal cuts, it will prevent people from going hungry
Diana Ayala
2:30:32
Thank you.
2:30:34
I was gonna ask a question, Lynette, about the increase but you spoke very eloquently about that.
2:30:38
Yes.
2:30:39
But question Joel, think is the around the $20,000,000 ask.
2:30:43
Is that consistent with the funds that we were able to get allocated throughout like the pandemic when we saw, you know, the need for more resources at our local pantries grow?
Joe Rosenberg
2:30:57
I'm sorry.
2:30:57
Could you
Diana Ayala
2:30:57
repeat that The 20,000,000, is that comparable with funding with the funding that was provided during the pandemic, the onset of the pandemic, the additional resource additional funding that was given to food pantries to make up the difference for the increase in population.
Joe Rosenberg
2:31:14
It's helpful.
2:31:15
I mean, I think the 20,000,000 was basically chosen because we're all suffering such need.
2:31:21
It wasn't particularly quantified, but you were obviously indispensable in helping to provide the 1,000,000 which each of us has 250,000 with from last fiscal year.
2:31:33
But things have deteriorated, prices have increased, Reference references were made to the emergency food and shelter program.
2:31:42
Both Catholic charities have sustained loss of $800,000 each in this program.
2:31:50
And that doesn't even include the $230,000,000,000 that Congress appears to be poised to reduce and snap.
2:31:58
So, the 20,000,000 will be absolutely indispensable.
2:32:03
Will it offset what is coming in our direction from the feds?
2:32:08
Unlikely.
2:32:09
But it will prevent people from going hungry.