The Birmingham City Council on Nov. 4 approved an ordinance authorizing up to $1,090,000 in city funds to provide one-time supplemental payments for residents eligible for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the federal government shutdown.

The ordinance directs the mayor to contract for distribution in November 2025 and sets the supplemental allotment at up to $100 for an individual recipient and up to $200 for an eligible family. City administration said United Way of Central Alabama will be the fiscal agent and distribution partner, while Christian Service Mission will support a parallel food-drive distribution for residents who cannot document SNAP eligibility.

Why this matters: U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell told the council earlier in the meeting that the shutdown had already left thousands of Alabama households uncertain about benefits. “For so many, SNAP means the difference between a hot meal and going to bed hungry,” Sewell said, noting an estimated 23,000 SNAP recipients live in Birmingham. Her remarks framed the council’s decision to act locally while awaiting federal action.

How the local program will work: City staff said recipients will be required to show proof of current SNAP enrollment, identity and city residency at designated distribution sites; households that meet those requirements will receive a gift card distributed by United Way. Administration described three “buckets” of support: (1) direct supplemental gift cards for SNAP beneficiaries, (2) city-coordinated food drives to support broader need, and (3) wraparound referrals for residents seeking further assistance.

Administration also told the council it would absorb fees so recipients would not be charged convenience fees on distributed gift cards. The council-approved funding includes $90,000 to cover administration and convenience fees — $60,000 budgeted to United Way for administration and $30,000 to cover card transaction costs. Early philanthropic support reported at the meeting included $50,000 from SHIFT and a $10,000 allocation from United Way; the city website linked to the campaign had reported roughly $82,000 raised online as of the meeting.

Council members and staff emphasized coordination with local partners. City staff said they are working with Birmingham City Schools to avoid duplication and to reach families confidentially, and that conversations with grocery retailers — and with technology partners such as grocery-delivery services — were underway to ensure recipients could use cards at local stores.

Questions and limits: Council members asked whether residents without identification (for example, some college students or individuals fleeing domestic violence) would be served. Administration said the gift-card program is limited to documented SNAP recipients but that the food-drive and wraparound services would be available to others in need. Members also asked how funds would be handled if federal benefits resume; administration said donors could specify whether they want contributions returned or preserved in an emergency fund for future crises.

Council reaction: Multiple council members praised the administration’s speed and called on the philanthropic and business community to match city funds. Councilor Smitherman thanked the mayor’s office and council colleagues and urged private donors and institutions to contribute. Councilor Woods said the initiative is an example of local government stepping in when federal action is delayed.

A note on timing: Rep. Sewell warned that SNAP benefit processing can take up to two weeks after federal funds are released, and councilors said that local supplement payments are intended as a bridge while federal systems restart.

What passed: The ordinance authorizing the $1,090,000 appropriation passed Nov. 4 by unanimous voice vote after a brief procedural re-run of unanimous consent to include a member who joined after the initial motion. City staff said the appropriation comes from the city general fund (grant-managed expenditures) and will be augmented by private donations.

Looking ahead: Administration stated the mayor intends to continue coordinating the private-public effort for as long as the federal shutdown causes benefit interruptions and will return to the council if additional city appropriations are needed. Donors and volunteers can find information at www.birminghamal.gov/bhamready or by emailing bhamready@birminghamal.gov.

Ending: The council’s action is intended as a short-term, locally managed response to the federal shutdown’s immediate impact on food access; city officials repeatedly called for federal resolution while urging residents and businesses to support local distribution and relief efforts.