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Riverside reallocates $100,000 to Salvation Army to feed residents affected by federal shutdown
Summary
Council unanimously approved reallocating $100,000 from the Senior Supplemental Rental Assistance Program to the Salvation Army's Emergency Food Access Program to assist SNAP participants and federally affected households during the federal government shutdown; staff estimates this will help about 500–700 households.
The Riverside City Council voted unanimously to reallocate $100,000 from a senior rental assistance account to expand emergency food access for residents affected by the federal government shutdown.
Michelle Davis, housing and human services staff, said SNAP benefits lapsed Nov. 1 and staff recommended reallocating funds "to support the Salvation Army's Emergency Food Access Program." Davis said staff selected the Salvation Army because it already runs a downtown emergency food operation and can scale quickly; eligibility would be verified by city residency and either current SNAP beneficiary documentation or federal/military ID.
Staff said the Senior Supplemental Rental Assistance account held $525,423.52 and that the $100,000 reallocation would not reduce assistance to seniors; staff proposed alternatives for the six seniors who otherwise would have been assisted through that account. The staff presentation estimated that the $100,000 could assist approximately 500–700 households depending on household size, and noted a single‑source agreement would allow immediate distribution rather than a competitive procurement process that would cause delay.
Councilmembers emphasized speed, existing safeguards and partnerships. Councilmember Mills said the per‑household cost is estimated at about "$143 to $200 per household" and called the proposal a cost‑effective, timely use of existing resources. Councilmember Perry and others thanked staff and noted utility and other assistance programs also are available through Riverside Public Utilities.
The council approved the reallocation, authorized staff to finalize and execute an agreement with the Salvation Army, and approved a fiscal carryover as requested to allow the funds to be used in the current fiscal year.
