The Federal Way City Council approved Human Services Commission recommendations to allocate $100,000 in one-time King County COVID-recovery funds to local anti-hunger efforts, but not before the council asked for extra information about a newer applicant.

Staff said King County provided $100,000 to address lingering pandemic-related food insecurity and that the commission scored eight applicants. The Human Services Commission recommended three recipients: Bridging the Gap ($29,000), Multi-Service Center (MSC) ($44,000) and Nested Communities ($27,000). Councilmembers said they needed more background on Nested Communities, a newer local organization, and pulled the item for discussion.

After staff and the applicant provided additional information at the dais, the council divided the motion so that members could recuse where appropriate. The council approved funding for Bridging the Gap and Nested Communities together, then separately approved the Multi-Service Center allocation; the MSC vote passed 6–1 with one recusal, resulting in a final distribution of $29,000, $44,000 and $27,000.

Why this matters: The allocations direct a one-time county recovery grant toward local food-security programs and show the council exercising due diligence on newer nonprofit applicants while attempting to balance immediate needs.

Follow-up: Staff said the King County grant was one-time funding and highlighted that continued funding would depend on the city’s next budget process.