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Charleston council shifts $70,000 and approves $60,000 grant to feed residents while SNAP payments remain uncertain
Summary
City council adopted a $70,000 budget amendment and a $60,000 grant to the Kanawha Valley Collective to buy food for distribution in November–December 2025 amid delays and uncertainty in SNAP benefits.
The Charleston City Council voted to move $70,000 from contingency funds and to authorize a one‑time $60,000 grant to the Kanawha Valley Collective to purchase food for distribution in November and December 2025.
Councilmember Jenkins, chairing the finance committee, said the budget amendment transfers $10,000 to Parks and Recreation and $60,000 to fund food purchases through a grant to the Kanawha Valley Collective. "This is the $60,000 that'll be a grant to the Kanawha Valley Collective for the purchase of food," Jenkins said, adding the money "won't go to any overhead or anything — it's a 100% food purchase, for distribution in November and December." The council adopted both the budget amendment (resolution 25‑110) and the memorandum of understanding enabling the grant (resolution 25‑111).
Council members said the allocations respond to uncertainty around federally funded SNAP benefits. Councilwoman Cook, who works in food‑bank advocacy, noted state and federal processes remain unsettled and that local partners may face weeks more of service demand before SNAP payments are restored. She told the council the state agency working with the federal Food and Nutrition Service "has had no confirmation" about the release schedule for benefits.
Councilmember Solomon, citing his own per‑capita calculations, said the council's vote will help local food pantries meet increased need. The mayor and other members praised volunteer pantry workers and distribution staff, and emphasized the council intended the grant dollars to purchase food only.
The amendment shifts $70,000 from contingency: $10,000 is earmarked for parks and recreation programs (snacks, meal boxes at community centers) and $60,000 is directed to the grant. The grant is restricted to food purchases for November and December 2025; the council's motion and the committee report state that overhead or administrative uses are not covered by the grant.
The council adopted both measures and directed the mayor or city manager to execute the memorandum of understanding with the Kanawha Valley Collective. The council did not specify further reporting or performance metrics in the meeting record.
