On Tuesday during a special city council meeting, the Brentwood City Council agreed to spend $50k for food distribution to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This will include both for food pantry and food delivery programs.
Last week, Councilwoman Karen Rarey brought forward the idea to provide $50k in funding for homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels and Brentwood Strong, the action at that meeting was to hold a special meeting go work out some details.
On Tuesday, Rarey still advocated to only fund senior programs with the $50k, however, the council opted to open it up to all those who may be impacted which would allow for food pantry and other organizations that are providing food service programs.
Council Member Johnny Rodriguez questioned the possible contract and use of the people’s money noting he didn’t want to go into this “blind” without any goals or expectations. He also explained they are doing some good things with the seniors and that should continue, but this money should be open up to more people in need.
“I am not really big just for this money going to seniors and homebound members of our community. I think we need to open that up because we are starting to see a lot of people not going to work that haven’t been able to do certain things in regards to pay their bills, purchasing food, so we are seeing a lot of people impacted that are not seniors and our not homebound and its starting to come out that more and more of these families are being impacted,” said Rodriguez. “For me, I think we need to broaden the curve with this money.”
Rarey explained how that despite talk of the Governor reopening California to non-essential businesses, the order would still call for seniors to avoid contact.
“I am not adversed to helping those in need, the whole reason I brought this up was to help the homebound seniors and its based on the statistics,” said Rarey noting that 30% of those impacted by coronavirus were seniors in Contra Costa County. She further highlighted Brentwood would have 13,000 homebound seniors that could be impacted in future governor orders.
She continued.
“I understand Councilmember Rodriguez concerns of the Latino community and because of that I reached out to Kirsten Rigsby who is the executive director of the Village Community Resource Center on how the community is being effected over there. She said prior to the pandemic, approximately 9% of their clients was regularly speaking to staff person for case management. That number has jumped to 95% since the COVID-19 shutdown. She also said she was unsure if families were food secure yet but did say rent, utilities, gas and food do remain concerns,” said Rarey. “I agree, there is a need to provide food to those not food secure, but I still think we need to provide for our homebound seniors and I do applaud councilmember Rodriguez efforts to represent his Latino constituents in what could ultimately become his District in 2022. But what I am proposing tonight does not exclude the senior population in northeastern Brentwood, what I am proposing includes every senior citizen in the city of Brentwood who needs it.”
She stated that even after the shelter-in-place is lifted the seniors will be encouraged to remain at home which is why she encouraged the council to agree to spend $50k on homebound seniors.
Rodriguez replied to Rarey’s comments saying the whole community should be considered.
“Everything I am saying and talking about is not just to help out the Latino community, I think we need to be open to help the whole community. In saying that, I am not just worried about the Latino community, I do know there has been a neglect for many years, but for me, I think we need to provide services for the whole community,” stated Rodriguez. “The need is strong, not only for the Latino community, but the whole community.”
He continued saying that people are currently not working and so they were not able to support their families, so it was difficult for him as a councilmember not to want to be able to support them as well.
“I would like to see families in all of Brentwood have an opportunity to get groceries or meals that honestly they deserve because they are also members of this community and as a city we represent them as well,” said Rodriguez who encouraged the council to support something broader than what was brought to them.
Councilwoman Claudette Staton thanked all the organizations helping the community in our time of need and said the council should look at a broader picture to help as many people as possible.
“Since there is both a big need in providing meals and food to families, I think we should look at the broad picture. We have organizations right now on the ground providing meals and groceries and we should continue to try and support them,” said Staton. “I just want to make sure for our city, that we are helping those in need.”
At the suggestion of City Manager Tim Ogden, he said they could provide grants of $5,000 to $10,000 for each organization.
Rodriguez then motioned that they broaden the scope to include both hot meals, groceries and open to both homebound seniors and the community limited to programs that provide direct services to Brentwood and Brentwood community residents—organizations could reapply for more funding once they complete the use of funds every 15-days.
The council voted 5-0 in a roll call vote.
The city will be releasing information on its website of how to apply for the grants.
