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Redlands reallocates $1.2 million in ARPA funds to expand grocery gift-card program
Summary
The City of Redlands approved reprogramming $1.2 million of ARPA pandemic-response funds to add 1,000 households to a grocery gift-card program, giving eligible households $100 per month; staff will return with a contract amendment to implement the expansion.
The Redlands City Council on Nov. 5 approved reallocating $1,200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act pandemic-response funds to expand the city’s grocery gift-card program, adding 1,000 eligible households to a $100 monthly benefit.
Grant coordinator Selena Sanchez told the council the city has received approximately $11.5 million in ARPA allocations, has expended about $7.5 million to date and holds roughly $4 million in projects underway. Sanchez said staff recommends moving $1,200,000 from the pandemic-response category into round two of the grocery gift-card program to serve an additional 1,000 households and that staff will return with a contract amendment for the Redlands Ranch market to continue distribution.
Mayor Tejeda and council members praised the program’s twin goals: direct assistance to households and concentrated spending at a local market. The council approved the reallocation by roll call; staff noted the ARPA obligation deadline of Dec. 31, 2024, and an expenditure deadline of Dec. 2026.
Sanchez said prior rounds served roughly 1,600 households at a program cost of about $2.02 million, and staff proposed expanding the target to 2,400 households (an additional 1,000) by repurposing public-health–response funds that were less needed as pandemic operations scaled down.
The council’s action directs staff to implement the reallocation and return with necessary contract amendments and administrative steps. No members voted against the motion.
