18.229 An Order to Appropriate Whiting Street Fund $25,000 for Food ProgramsCity of Northampton
Massachusetts
_________
In City Council January 17, 2019
Upon recommendation of the Mayor and the Whiting Street Fund Committee
18.229 An Order to Appropriate Whiting Street Fund $25,000 for Food Programs
Whereas, Mr. Whiting Street, a successful Northampton business man, left $25,000 to the City of Northampton in his will of 1875 with instructions that the money be used “for the relief
and comfort of the worthy poor”,
Whereas, the Whiting Street Fund Committee, which was created by Administrative Order, issued its second annual grant application seeking proposals from local organizations with the
goal of helping low-income persons in our community and with a specific focus on helping resolve food insecurity issues in the community;
Whereas, the Whiting Street Fund Committee received and reviewed the applications and has made its recommendations to the Mayor;
Ordered, that
$25,000 be appropriated from the interest in the Whiting Street Trust Fund to the following organizations:
$10,000 to MANNA Soup Kitchen for the purchase of a walk in cooler. MANNA will match this grant with $9,250 and will purchase a cooler which will give the organization safe storage
for food before it is prepped for meals and will allow for the acceptance of more fresh, local donated produce used as part of their mission of providing meals to hungry people in Northampton.
MANNA serves four lunches and one dinner, 52 weeks of the year and has worked tirelessly on behalf of those in need for thirty-one years.
$5,000 to the Northampton Survival Center to support their Fresh First Program which provides an incentive for clients to come to the Center every week for fresh vegetables, fruits
and bread. The Fresh First Program focuses on improving access to fresh produce, collaborating
with local farmers, and providing healthy recipes to use local produce. The Northampton Survival Center is in its fortieth year of operation as an emergency food pantry.
$5,000 to Grow Food Northampton, Inc. to support their Incentive based Food Access initiatives which make it more convenient and affordable for low-income residents to purchase healthy
food produced by local farmers. The funding will help support SNAP, Share, Red Bag Senior Share and a new program in conjunction with the Northampton Senior Services called “Farm Fresh
Cooking Club,” Red Bag Family Share and Tuesday Market SNAP Matching.
$5,000 to Abundance Farm to support their Pick-Your-Own Initiative in which food insecure residents can actively participate in the life of the Farm by harvesting free, organically
grown fruits and vegetables. This program is conducted in collaboration with the Northampton Survival Center and funding will allow an increase in staffing to support the program and
expand its outreach thru translation of marketing materials in other languages. Abundance Farm is located on the site of the Northampton’s Alms House and adjoining Poor Farm which,
from early 1800 – 1950, served as a critical refuge for Northampton residents in need of shelter, food and other services.