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Talbot County Council seeks $150,000 CDBG-COVID increase to shore up local food pantries
Summary
Talbot County Council on Oct. 20 voted to forward a $150,000 amendment request to Maryland DHCD to expand CDBG-COVID funding for two local food pantry partners, with the funds proposed as $75,000 each for Neighborhood Service Center and Saint Michael's Community Center.
Talbot County Council on Oct. 20 voted to forward Amendment No. 2 to its Maryland Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) COVID award, asking the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to approve an additional $150,000 for local food pantry operations.
Mary Kay (staff) told the council Talbot County had received CDBG-COVID funding in 2020 and again in April 2025 and that the most recent agreement with DHCD increased the county's award by $116,500. She said the county partners with Neighborhood Service Center and Saint Michael's Community Center and that the proposed amendment would allocate $75,000 to each subrecipient.
Amy Horn, executive director of Saint Michael's Community Center, said the center delivers at least 100 hot meals to homebound neighbors on several days each week, operates a well-stocked pantry and distributes pantry bags and freezer bags. Horn told the council her organization and others have seen rising demand and that many clients may lose SNAP benefits starting Saturday, increasing pressure on local food programs. "We could not do that without the county's support," Horn said.
Council members said the additional funds would be a stopgap measure that would not solve all food-security needs but would provide meaningful relief before the winter holidays. After public testimony and brief discussion, the council made and approved a motion directing staff to submit documentation to DHCD for review and approval of the second amendment.
Outcome: Council directed submission of Amendment No. 2 to DHCD for review and approval. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting Aye.
Funding and use details: The amendment would add $150,000 to the county's CDBG-COVID allocation; $75,000 is proposed for Neighborhood Service Center and $75,000 for Saint Michael's Community Center. Per testimony, Neighborhood Service Center served 182 families (364 individuals) in the prior quarter and Saint Michael's reported distribution of hundreds of pantry bags and thousands of hot meals during the period described. The subrecipients confirmed they can spend the funds before the DHCD deadline of June 30, 2026.
Next steps: Staff will prepare and submit the amendment documentation to DHCD for formal review and approval; the council took no appropriation action beyond directing the submittal.
