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Resolution approving Budget Amendment No. 26.035 appropriating $85,000 for emergency food assistance for South San Francisco Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients.
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WHEREAS, on October 1, 2025, a federal government shutdown began after congress failed to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, owing to the shutdown, federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits lapsed on November 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, federal district court judges have ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must provide SNAP benefits and use emergency funds to do so; and
WHEREAS, despite these rulings, the USDA intends to provide only partial benefits for November 2025, which may take weeks or months to reach SNAP recipients; and
WHEREAS, on October 29, 2025, City Council met in a Special Meeting and during an agendized discussion of how to spend $25 million the City will receive in sale proceeds from the sale of DNA Way to Genentech, City Council directed staff to immediately implement a program providing assistance to families that would not be receiving SNAP if the government shutdown persisted; and
WHEREAS, Council directed staff to spend up to $170,000 and to work with the YMCA Community Resource Center (YMCA CRC) to distribute the assistance; and
WHEREAS, on October 29, 2025, staff understood the total number of SNAP recipients in South San Francisco to be 1,700 households; and
WHEREAS, staff has since learned from the San Mateo County Human Services Agency that the number of SNAP recipient households in South San Francisco is 2,406; and
WHEREAS, the City has incurred $80,000 in direct expenses purchasing gift cards for distribution to South San Francisco SNAP recipients; and
WHEREAS, the YMCA CRC has requested $4,842 in administrative expenses accounting for the staff time associated with setting up the program, preparing for the distribution events, and staffing the distribution; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to clarify the appropriation made at the October 29, 2025 Special Meeting of the South San Francisco City Council; and
WHEREAS, providing food assistance to families with demonstrated financial need is a public purpose. Although the City could distribute the assistance itself, donating grocery store cards to YMCA CRC for distribution will be more efficient because of the established infrastructure and personnel YMCA CRC has in place to effectuate this public purpose.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of South San Francisco does hereby approve Budget Amendment No. 26.035 appropriating $85,000 in the Economic & Community Development Department’s administrative budget from the General Fund to fund the program with proceeds from the sale of DNA Way to Genentech offsetting this appropriation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is hereby authorized to take actions necessary on behalf of the City to carry out the intent of this resolution, subject to approval by the City Attorney.
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