ORD 2012-035 2010-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The United States Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service reports that the County of Hawai`i had a 2010 child poverty rate of 24.5 %. The emergency is not area specific, it is County wide. The Annunciation Food Pantry in Waimea has reported a 131% increase in total individuals served from 5,565 in 2008 to 12,853 in 2011. On a year to year basis, The Kona Meet & Eat Soup Pantry has reported a 181% increase in meals served from 598 in 2010 to 1,680 in 2011. The St. Michael's Food Pantry in Kona has reported a 96% increase in meals served from 1,179 in 2010 to 2,309 in 2011. The Paradise Church of the Nazarene in Puna has reported an 11% increase in meals served from 438 in 2010 to 486 in 2011. The Living Waters Food Pantry in Hilo has reported a 57% increase in meals served from 124 in 2010 to 195 in 2011. Medical personnel and agencies attest that the lack of adequate and nutritious food resources for families and individuals result in an increasing impact on already strained medical facilities and services placing additional burdens on taxpayers. The Food Basket, Inc. serving as Hawai`i Island's Food Bank is the sole island -wide non - profit food network that collects and distributes nutritious food to low income families, the ill and disabled, senior citizens, children's programs and other charitable non - profit organizations and is an organization whose programs yield direct benefits to the public and accomplish public purposes, as set forth in Chapter 2, Article 25, Section 2 -137, Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended). The Council recognizes the need to address this public health emergency by assisting with immediate efforts to alleviate hunger. An emergency appropriation is necessary to take every step necessary to ensure that the health of our residents is not compromised by the lack of nutritious food. The purpose of this emergency appropriation ordinance is to appropriate $200,000 in funding pursuant to Article X, Section 10 -8, of the Hawai`i County Charter (2010 edition) from the Disaster and Emergency Fund for the purpose of a grant to The Food Basket, Inc., Hawai`i Island's Food Bank pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 25, Sections 2 -210 and 2 -139, Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended). SECTION 3. Powers Granted. The County Council of the County of Hawai`i, hereby appropriates $200,000 for the fiscal year 2011 -2012 from the Disaster and Emergency Fund to Account No. 010.101.5101.32 to The Food Basket, Inc., Hawai`i Island's Food Bank to provide food to the hungry people of the County of Hawaii. Said funds shall be utilized as a grant made pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 25, Section 2 -139, Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended) and is subject to Chapter 2, Article 25, Section 2 -138, and 2- 139(b), Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended). 2