LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: City Council Member Jennifer Brahier
SUBJECT:
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DISCRETIONARY FUNDING ALLOCATION - CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JENNIFER BRAHIER - DISTRICT 1
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RECOMMENDATION:
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That City Council approve funding of $1,000 for The Watson Family Foundation Thanksgiving Food Give Away, $2,000 for Manna Food Pantries, $1,000 for Ecomfort, Inc. at the Epps Christian Center, $1,000 for the H.Y.P.E. Annual Turkey Drive and $1,000 for the Humane Society from the City Council Discretionary Funds for District 1.
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Section 3.28-3.33 of the Policies of the City Council, prior to any distribution of grant or sponsorship funds from the City Council Discretionary Funds, approval by City Council is required.
The Watson Family Foundation was created in 2016 with the opening of the Watson Firm, PLLC. Attorney Aaron Watson and his wife, Kimberly, were so moved by the community’s support upon opening their law firm that they immediately began looking for meaningful ways to give back. The Watson Firm soon became known for its annual Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway and its Backpack Giveaway. Guided by generational values, the Watsons believe in continuing their family legacy of faith-based outreach, community service and mentorship. The Watson Family Foundation’s mission is to help bridge the gap that separates deserving families from the support needed to guide them toward leading thriving lives. Funding will be used towards their Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway.
Manna Food Pantries is a local grassroots organization fighting hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. They provide groceries directly to individuals and families in need, free of charge. The majority of their funding comes from individuals, faith-based organizations, corporations and businesses. Manna is nonsectarian, community focused and volunteer support. They believe every person has a right to live free of hunger and to be treated with respect and dignity. Funding will be used to provide food for families during the holidays.
Ecomfort is the outreach branch of the Epps Christian Center. The mission of Ecomfort, Inc. is to reach out to the hungry, homeless and hurting in the community. The primary goal of Ecomfort is to improve individual and families socioeconomic status. They plan to accomplish this goal by helping individuals increase their disposable income. Their soup kitchen programs receives and distributes over 60,000 pounds of food a month and gives away food to more than 7,000 people monthly. In 2018 they opened a resource center to help individuals receive needed assistance with job applications, applying for assistance benefits and providing linkage services. Funding will be used towards the distribution of food for individuals and families.
H.Y.P.E. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide comprehensive and innovating programs that will serve the youth to envision and navigate a course for a rewarding future characterized by achievement, independent thought and social responsibility. One of those programs is their Annual Turkey Drive. The Annual Turkey Drive feeds many families that would not be able to afford Thanksgiving meals for their families. It also provides kids the opportunity to help their community and teach them the importance of giving back and community service. Funding will be used towards the Annual Turkey Drive.
Incorporated in 1943, the Pensacola Human Society originally rounded up strays and investigated animal cruelty cases. Over the decades the shelter moved from an old wooden building to a small masonry structure to its current location, and along the way added educational programs and popular fundraisers. In 1985 they became a no-kill facility, where dogs and cats are provided food, shelter, medical care and love until they find their forever homes. In the forefront of spay and neuter education, the Pensacola Humane Society has led the way over seven decades in the believe that animals are sentient beings who experience pain and suffering and that it is their responsibility to attend to their needs and to treat them with dignity and respect. Funding will be used towards the purchase of food for the animals in their care.
PRIOR ACTION:
July 21, 2022 - City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-065 establishing the City Council Discretionary Fund Policy
FUNDING:
Budget: $16,635 Current Balance - FY 22 District 1 Discretionary Funds
10,700 FY 23 District 1 Discretionary Funds
$27,335
Actual: $ 1,000 Watson Family Foundation
2,000 Manna Food Pantries
1,000 Ecomfort, Inc. (Epps Christian Center)
1,000 H.Y.P.E. Annual Turkey Drive
1,000 Humane Society of Pensacola
$ 6,000
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
A balance of $16,635 is currently within the District 1 Discretionary Fund Account in FY 2022 and $10,700 within the District 1 Discretionary Fund Account in FY 2023 for a total available amount of $27,335. Upon approval by City Council, a balance of $10,335 will remain within that account in FY 2022 and $10,700 will remain in the FY 2023 District 1 Discretionary Fund Account. The balance remaining in FY 2022 will be carried forward to FY 2023 on the Unencumbered Carryover Resolution to be brought before City Council at the December 2022 City Council Meeting.
STAFF CONTACT:
Don Kraher, Council Executive
Yvette McLellan, Special Assistant to the Council Executive
ATTACHMENTS:
None
PRESENTATION: No