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Council hears plea to keep summer feeding funding as contract awaits signature
Summary
Council members and Calcasieu Parish Human Services representatives discussed the town's summer feeding program May 12; the contract had not yet been signed and program start (June 2) was flagged as urgent. Town budgeted $3,000 for the program this year after previously budgeting $6,500; the mayor reported a 32.6% drop in meals served from the prior year.
Council Member Julie Fontenot opened discussion on the summer feeding program, asking whether the contract—previously approved by the council—had been signed; she said the council had voted earlier to sign the contract but the document remained unsigned as of the prior Friday. Mayor Douglas N. Watkins said "$3,000.00 is what we have in revenue dollars we can spend," and noted the town had budgeted $6,500 last year.
Erika Garrison of Calcasieu Parish Human Services told the council "the contract needs to be signed soon because the program begins June 2nd." She presented information about the program, explained how the federal grant and local match work, and urged timely execution so meals can be served. Erik Johnson, identified in the transcript as a participant, said other municipalities have cut contributions but argued the town should not, noting last year’s meal counts and saying there was "no reason that we should cut the budget for this program." The mayor announced a 32.6% drop in meals served from the prior year.
Outcome: Council discussed adjusting the town contribution; no recorded vote changing the $3,000 figure took place at the meeting. Staff and Calcasieu Parish Human Services were urged to finalize the contract quickly to meet the program start date.
Why it matters: The USDA-sponsored summer feeding program serves children during the school break and requires local match/funding commitments and a signed contract to operate. Delays or reduced municipal contributions could affect service levels and site choices within town.
Source: Comments and presentation by Calcasieu Parish Human Services representatives and town council discussion at the May 12 meeting.
