BOARD TO VOTE ON ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY RELATED TO COVID-19

June 18, 2020
County Board Chair Analiese Eicher, 608.571.6823
County Board

The Dane County Board of Supervisors will meet virtually once again tonight.  The meeting is at 7:00pm, the public is reminded to register no later than 6:30pm if they’d like to speak at the meeting. 

 

The Board is scheduled to vote on a resolution that would give Second Harvest Food Bank an additional $1 million a month for August, September, and October due to increased demand at food pantries.  The COVID Relief Fund provides the county with the resources to supply the pantries with additional funds.  The contract allows Second Harvest to purchase food and distribute it to local food pantries.

 

"Food security remains a need and a priority in our communities," said County Board Chair Analiese Eicher. "I am grateful that the county can continue to assist in meeting these needs during the pandemic." 

 

The County Board’s standing committees have continued to have discussions on the priorities for some of the $95 million the County received from the federal CARES Act, and a top priority that has been identified is food insecurity. 

 

County Board Supervisor Michele Ritt (District 18), Chair of the Environment, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee, as well as a member of the Food Council said, “Food insecurity has been a significant problem for a long time; the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted it even more as a growing issue that needs to be addressed immediately”. 

 

Anyone in need of food is encouraged to dial 2-1-1, where assistance can be provided in finding food pantries, meal sites, and shelters.   A map showing where food pantries are located is available here.  Additionally, the Dane County Farmer’s Market continues their pick-up market at the County’s Alliant Energy Center, underscoring the partnerships that are needed to help keep people fed.

 

The agenda for the meeting is available here: https://dane.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=734259&GUID=D9766950-9279-4A77-8114-60C57216A3FD