Nevada Board of Examiners backs $30 million contingency recommendation for food banks, approves $200,000 for military support

The State of Nevada Board of Examiners on Oct. 29 recommended that the Interim Finance Committee allocate $30,000,000 from the IFC contingency account to help two food banks respond to an immediate surge in need, and approved a separate $200,000 contingency allocation to fund active-duty personnel to support food-bank operations.

Tiffany, speaking for the finance office, said the IFC contingency account has about $43,000,000 available and that the office would take $30,000,000 from that balance "so we're taking $30,000,000 out of that account" while leaving funds for other emergencies. The request was presented pursuant to NRS 353.268. Attorney General Aaron Ford moved to approve the recommendation; the motion passed.

Nicole Lamboli, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, described how her organization will use the funds to "activate our extensive network of agency partners, which includes our rural partners" and to bolster inventory, support distribution, expand direct-service programs, and coordinate with tribal communities and school districts to reach neighbors in need. "We will activate a very comprehensive program to ensure that all neighbors in these communities have access to the food that will come through this support," Lamboli said.

Beth Martino of 3 Square, which serves southern Nevada, said her organization has already seen increased demand: "In Southern Nevada, over the last 4 months, we've seen a 16% increase of people coming into food pantries," she said, adding that roughly 75% of that increase were first-time pantry visitors. Martino said the suspension of SNAP benefits has amplified demand and that food banks expect a significant surge beginning the weekend after the meeting.

Attorney General Aaron Ford noted that his office filed suit against the federal administration and has a temporary restraining order hearing scheduled the next day. He asked what would happen to the state's recommended allocation if federal SNAP benefits were restored. Tiffany said the state would return the $30,000,000 to the IFC contingency or the general fund if federal benefits resumed.

The board also considered a second request from the Office of the Military, asking for $200,000 from the IFC contingency to fund active-duty members to provide services to food banks in northern and southern Nevada. After a brief explanation of personnel and infrastructure needs, Attorney General Ford moved approval and the motion passed.

Votes recorded in the meeting transcript are recorded as "motion passes" for both agenda items; the transcript does not list a roll-call vote tally for each member on those motions. The board opened and closed two public-comment periods; no substantive public objections were recorded during the first period, and representatives of the two food banks offered public remarks of thanks during the second.

The recommended allocations will be forwarded to the Interim Finance Committee for further action. A temporary restraining order hearing related to federal SNAP benefits may affect whether the $30,000,000 ultimately remains with the state; state staff said funds would be returned if federal benefits resume.