County committee advances $9,890 ARPA grant for North Olmsted Oxcart food pantry generator

The Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services and Aging Committee voted Feb. 5 to advance a resolution that would award up to $9,890 in ARPA community grant funds to the City of North Olmsted to purchase a backup generator for the Oxcart food pantry.

Tim Pinchak, director of recreation and public engagement for the City of North Olmsted, told the committee the pantry has operated since 1974 and has moved locations; it serves perishable items, runs community gardens and distributes backpacks and other assistance. Pinchak said the pantry lacks on‑site backup power and that recent local outages force part‑time staff to relocate refrigerated food to private homes or other facilities to avoid spoilage. He said the generator quote is $9,890 and includes a five‑year warranty; a local electrician told the city the unit could last 20 to 25 years with proper maintenance.

"Our backup pantry has been in existence since 1974…we are just very in need of the backup generator," Pinchak said, describing 2024 service as about 4,600 people and more than 1,500 households served.

Council members praised the pantry and cited it as an appropriate use of ARPA funds. Councilman Sweeney told the meeting it was an example of projects the council can recommend with ARPA money. Chair moved to send the resolution to full council under second reading; the motion was seconded and verbal 'aye' responses were recorded.

If approved at full council with the reported funding, the generator would be purchased and serviced by the city; Pinchak said the unit would be maintained by the city's service department under a contractor agreement.