City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 8, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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TITLE
Consideration of an Additional Allocation of City Funds to the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund and for ALIVE! to Maintain Adequate Food Availability.
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ISSUE: None
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Authorize the allocation from City FY 2020 snow removal funds for an additional $100,000 of City matching funds to the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund;
2. Authorize the allocation from City FY 2020 snow removal funds of $220,000 to ALIVE! to ensure adequate food supply and support for distribution efforts through the end of May; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents required.
BACKGROUND: The City and ACT for Alexandria (ACT) recognized the necessity of responding rapidly to the growing needs of our community due to the many impacts of COVID-19 and in response reinstituted the ACT Now Fund in March 2020. Council authorized that $100,000 should be invested in the Fund as a match to community contributions. Since that time, more than $625,000 has been raised. This includes $20,000 from ACT and $200,000 from Amazon.
A rapid response grants process has been put in place with community-based non-profits submitting streamlined applications each Friday, with notification and approval being provided the following week. A total of 68 grants have been awarded to provide critical supports at this time, including: emergency food, rental assistance, financial assistance, childcare, household supplies, medicine, medical supplies and medical bills, employment assistance, staffing, and educational supports for students. The total amount of funding awarded has been $524,910. This additional funding by the City of $100,000 will make it possible for $200,000 in addi...
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