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Evansville council approves ARPA transfer to food-access partners amid SNAP pause concerns
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance F-2025-18 to transfer and reappropriate ARPA funds to support local food-access organizations, with two members abstaining due to organizational ties. Officials said funds will target food purchases and pantry credits to cover expected gaps if SNAP benefits are paused.
The Evansville Common Council adopted Ordinance F-2025-18 on Nov. 17, 2025, authorizing transfers and reappropriations that include an adjustment to ARPA-designated funds to support local food-access organizations.
Robert Hunter of the city's controller's office explained the requested adjustment was tied to ARPA accounts. An unidentified administration or community representative described the allocation as additional to prior "Forward Together" grants and said it will funnel money to organizations including the Tri-State Food Bank, FEED Evansville, Young and Established, and the Salvation Army; the speaker said those organizations may subgrant to smaller partners.
The unidentified speaker linked the action to recent federal developments affecting SNAP benefits, saying there remains community need if benefits are delayed or paused. The speaker also noted two council members are leaders in organizations that will benefit and indicated those members would abstain from the vote. Councilman Hieronymus said the mayor has been involved in behind-the-scenes discussions and that the funding would help restock inventories at 23 pantries and nine soup kitchens across the city.
The clerk recorded 5 ayes and 2 abstentions; Ordinance F-2025-18 was declared adopted. The minutes reflect that Councilman Johnson left the room and was recorded as recused/abstaining and Councilman Hieronymus stated he would abstain due to organizational ties.
The ordinance does not list specific dollar amounts or detailed subgrant terms during the meeting; council discussion emphasized intent to direct the funds to food purchases and pantry credit to address holiday needs and potential SNAP-related shortfalls. Further details, including exact allocations and any subgrant agreements, were not specified at the meeting.
