Following the longest federal shutdown in the nation’s history, county councilmembers approved $7.75 million dollars on Tuesday for local organizations to offset some impacts and help with resources like food.
Under the funding package, $3.5 million will go toward food assistance, $2.25 million will go to nonprofits, $1 million is for short-term housing support, $500,000 is for the MoCo Pride Center. Another $500,000 is set aside for business development and expansion. The money will come from the county’s reserve funds.
21 people testified Tuesday before the council’s vote.
Nourishing Bethesda Executive Director and Founder John Ross said the impact of the shutdown “hit us like a tidal wave.” Last week, the food pantry served 2,300 people — “a record,” Ross said. “This is not going away just because the federal government opened again.”
Council President Kate Stewart asserted, “We did this with intentionality, but quickly.”
“We had the public hearing today and the action so that we could make sure that the money was sent out as soon as possible to members of our community, also knowing the holidays are coming up,” she said.
“The need is great, and we need to take action now,” Stewart affirmed.
Separately, the City of Gaithersburg announced Monday that it doubled its food assistance funding for Manna Food Center, Community Hope Center, and Gaithersburg Help to assist residents still struggling from the lapse in SNAP benefits.
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Council Introduces $7.75 Million Bill For Those Affected By Shutdown
