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Wayne County backs Operation Refugewith three-year grant to support Mother's Pantry
Summary
The commission approved a three-year comparable-source grant to Operation Refuge to support the Mother's Pantry food distribution center. County staff said the pantry uses a client-choice model; commissioners asked about how the $30,000 total is allocated across three years, SNAP-related needs and the proposed use of gift cards.
The Wayne County Commission approved a three-year comparable-source grant services agreement with Operation Refuge to support the Mother's Pantry food distribution center.
Anthony Cartwright, interim director of economic development, said Mother's Pantry employs a client-choice model that lets pantry users select food items, including fresh produce, dairy, frozen meat and shelf-stable goods. Cartwright described the pantry as feeding hundreds of families and said the county contribution to the project would total $30,000 over three years and would be funded from the general fund special account.
Commissioners asked staff whether county SNAP-related needs could be addressed through these or other funds and about the three-year funding breakdown. Lucy, assistant director of economic vitality, said the county is exploring uses of unspent CDBG and COVID-era funds for food benefits, but federal vendor restrictions complicate rapid reallocation. She said staff would follow up with commissioners when more information is known. Cartwright and Lucy confirmed TechTown had previously received $100,000 for Operation Refuge-related efforts and that the new grant would be monitored alongside those funds.
Several commissioners raised concerns about gift cards included in the program design. Cartwright said staff and Operation Refuge leadership had discussed gift cards with Pastor Overman and that the countywould monitor for abuse; he added gift cards were not the first choice and that purchase-only mechanisms could be emphasized. Pastor Velma Jean Overman was present by phone but experienced audio difficulties and later spoke briefly by phone to thank the commission for support.
The commission carried the motion to approve the agreement by tablet vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Baker McCormick and supported by Commissioner Kellogg.
