City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 10, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: HASHIM TAYLOR, DIRECTOR, RECREATION, PARKS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Renewal to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Food Program for At-Risk After School Snack Program for the FY 2026 School Year Snack Program Sponsored by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.
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ISSUE: Consideration of grant renewal to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Food Program for At-Risk After School Snack Program for the FY 2026 (September 2025 through June 2026) school year snack program sponsored by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to submit an At-Risk After School grant renewal application to the United States Department of Agriculture, through the Virginia Department of Education for Fiscal Year 2026 (due date September 1, 2025); and
2. Authorize the City Manager to Execute all documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities has administered the At-Risk After School Snack Program since FY 2004. The City receives funding through the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) from the USDA to provide after school snacks to the City’s after school recreation programs. RPCA purchases the snacks from the Alexandria City Public Schools Nutrition Service for RPCA’s program locations.
Alexandria is requesting FY 2026 renewal funding for its At-Risk After School Snack Program. The level of funding for FY 2026 is $225,000 in ORG titled USDA After School Snack 2026 Program, which is reimbursed to the City by the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. A renewal application is required and submitted to VDOE. These funds will continue to provide nutritious after school snacks and suppers to participants in the RPCA Power-On Program at Charles Barrett, Charles Houston, Leonard Armstrong, Mt. Vernon, Patrick Henry, and William Ramsay Recreation Centers; LINK Club programs at Ferdinand T. Day, Hammond and George Washington Middle Schools; the school-based Power-On Programs at MacArthur and John Adams; and the Youth Achieving Greatness and Therapeutic Recreation Programs at Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center during the 2025 to 2026 school year.
RENEWAL GRANT PERIOD: October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT: The meals must be served free of charge to receive reimbursement from USDA. There is no requirement for the City to provide either cash or an in-kind match for this program. However, the City is responsible for the normal administrative costs associated with this grant. These costs include financial and reporting oversight provided by RPCA, as well as oversight by the Office of Management and Budget and the Finance Department.
STAFF:
Emily Baker, Deputy City Manager
Laura Durham, Deputy Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Randy Little, Division Chief/Recreation Services
Faye Maslaki-Morgan, Division Chief/Finance
Consuella Barbour, Budget Management Analyst, Office of Management and Budget