County works with HACAP to spend down CDBG food funds

     In 2020, Jones County was awarded a $44,000 CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) to purchase and deliver food to those who were homebound and unable to leave their homes during the pandemic.

     The county was only able to use about $4,000 of that grant, with $39,500 remaining.

     The grant was facilitated through the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Knowing how much remains of the grant, the Jones County Supervisors asked IEDA if they could repurpose the funds toward another food program with HACAP.

     County Auditor Whitney Hein received confirmation from IEDA that the county can amend its grant contract, but must spend the money by April 9.

     “You’re not obligated to use it all,” Hein said of spending down the grant.

     However, the grant money can only be used for transportation and delivery of food, not to purchase food.

     Initially the board of supervisors discussed purchasing food for the local food pantries; however, they received word that the food pantries have more than enough food on hand.

     Knowing HACAP works with local food pantries and brings a mobile food pantry to several communities throughout the month, Jones County thought HACAP could use the grant funds for delivery costs.

     During the Feb. 9 board of supervisor meeting, the board spoke with Kim Guardado, the director of the HACAP food reservoir. Guardado said they have four mobile pantries that stop in Jones County: Monticello, Anamosa, Onslow, and Olin.

     “We started going to Olin last June due to COVID needs,” explained Guardado.

     Guardado asked if they could submit transportation bills to Jones County prior to the Feb. 4 grant contract amendment approval date. Hein felt that only bills from Feb. 4 forward would be covered by reimbursement of the grant. Hein explained she sent a letter to IEDA in November requesting an amendment to the grant, and it took until February to even get an answer back.

     “As fast as we get answers, April might be here and gone,” said Supervisor Joe Oswald. “It takes time to get answers from the state.”

     Guardado said HACAP spends about $3,000 a month on transportation costs for its mobile food pantries, making trips twice a month to Jones County.

     Sherri Hunt, Cedar/Jones Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) director, encouraged the supervisors to still contact the state about extending the grant contract. Hein said she did propose the idea three to four weeks ago with no response.

     Supervisor Jeff Swisher agreed.

     “We need to at least send a request to the state,” he said.

     “I’m not hopeful I’ll get a response,” said Hein.

     EMA Coordinator Brenda Leonard said federal grants like this don’t always allow for extensions.

     The board approved a contract with HACAP allowing them to use the grant funds to deliver food in Jones County.