Item:
Title
Approval of a contract with Communities in Partnership (RFP 24-041) for $532,000 to Administer the Durham County Food Security Grants Program
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: July 8, 2024
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve a $532,000 contract (RFP 24-041) with Communities in Partnership for an Administrator for The Durham County Food Security Grants Program. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are designated for this expense.
The purpose of the Durham County Food Security Grants Program is to support community food security efforts reaching our most vulnerable residents, especially communities disproportionately impacted by the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 and to further enhance Durham County’s social safety-net with the increased costs of food, housing, and other essentials. Two applicants applied for RFP 24-041 with Communities in Partnership recommended for this project. The evaluation scoring summary is included.
The contract will extend through March 31, 2025, and includes $400,000 for the community grants to support food assistance organizations with food, infrastructure, materials/supplies, and other operational funding needs and $132,000 for operating costs for the management of the program. The grant program will be operated by Communities in Partnership (CIP), a majority Black, women-led, community accountable nonprofit with experience managing grant programs, including a previous Durham County grant program. CIP “addresses the social determinants of health through interconnected programs addressing food sovereignty, entrepreneurship and workforce development, affordable housing, and leadership development.” The executive director, Camryn Smith, serves on the national Executive and Steering Committees for the Equitable Food Oriented Development (EFOD) Collaborative.
Within this County program, grants will range from approximately $2,500 to $45,000. The application process will encourage collaborative proposals and partnerships that share decision making with the community they propose serving. Funds will be targeted to support marginalized communities, especially those disproportionately impacted by the negative economic impacts of COVID-19. All grantees will be required to attend three cohort meetings to build community, share resources and ideas, and participate in targeted training. Grantees will submit data at the midpoint of the grant and at the end of the grant.
Previous County Food Security Grants Programs were supported with County funds. The most recent FY 22-23 program was operated by CIP and provided funding to fill gaps in food security resources in Durham County and provide direct education and collaborative support for grantees. The previous FY 21-22 Food Security Grant opportunity was operated by Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA) and was focused on short-term, stop-gap funding for emergency food assistance organizations. These earlier programs were successful in reaching residents and providing much needed support for local organizations. Similar success is expected with the current program.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: Food security support for vulnerable at-risk portions of Durham County’s population aligns with county goals supporting community prosperity and health in the Durham County Strategic Plan.
Resource Persons: Raina Goldstein Bunnag, County Food Security Coordinator; Donna Rewalt, County Extension Director.
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board approve a $532,000 contract (RFP 24-041) with Communities in Partnership for an Administrator for The Durham County Foods Security Grants Program.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________