Commissioners at the Sept. 10 special meeting reviewed a slate of charitable contribution requests totaling about $445,000 and discussed prioritizing awards within an available municipal allocation of $238,840 for the year.

Mayor Ryan opened the charitable-contribution segment and staff provided a summary showing that if the commission renewed prior-year awards for organizations that resubmitted applications, $212,650 would be committed and $26,190 would remain available for other allocations. Commissioners emphasized prioritizing organizations that demonstrably serve Sunrise residents, submit clear budgets, and provide measurable outcomes.

Two food-service nonprofits addressed the commission and were asked for additional detail. Gabriela Gomes of Feeding South Florida described the organization's senior-meals program: "This is the cost to serve 28 seniors here in the city of Sunrise, for the whole year," she said, explaining the program provides frozen, nutritionist-reviewed meals delivered to homebound seniors.

Mario Lopez, director of development for FarmShare, said distribution logistics have become the program's central challenge. "We have a bigger challenge moving the food than we have actually acquiring it," he told the commission, noting state-level funding cuts and the overhead costs of storage, insurance and delivery.

Several commissioners said they support maintaining prior awards to longstanding recipients and recommended limited new awards pending follow-up information. Commissioner Scudo proposed a $5,000 award to the Dan Marino Foundation; Commissioner Clark suggested a $5,000 first-time award for Youth Empowerment Village pending clarification on the group's Sunrise-specific programming and budget. Commissioners asked FarmShare and Feeding South Florida to provide: (1) city-specific beneficiary counts, (2) a clearer budget breakdown showing how municipal funds would be used, and (3) information on other municipal or private funding the groups receive.

No final allocations were approved at the meeting. The mayor directed staff to return with updated nonprofit information and recommendations at the second hearing so the commission could finalize awards while remaining mindful of budget constraints and public perception of municipal charity spending.