Label
SeaGate Food Bank
Sponsors: Melden, Komives, Driscoll, Gadus, Williams
Title
Authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of an amount not to exceed $50,000 from the General Fund for SeaGate Food Bank of Northwest Ohio for emergency food services; authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement for said purpose; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
SeaGate Food Bank of Northwest Ohio is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that distributes food to over 400 pantries and programs that serve individuals. Their Toledo food bank has always provided food entirely free of charge. Their Senior Box Program provides supplemental food boxes to thousands of seniors every month. The work done at SeaGate Food Bank is essential to maintain the pipeline of services provided for food insecure individuals.
The potential termination of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on November 2025 poses a significant risk of increased food insecurity among Toledo residents, particularly low-income families, seniors, and children. As SeaGate Food Bank anticipates a sharp increase in demand for emergency food services in the event of a lapse in SNAP benefits requiring immediate financial support to sustain and expand its food distribution efforts.
Summary
NOW THEREFORE Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the appropriation of $50,000 was authorized from the unappropriated balance of the General Fund to Account Code 1001-16100-5632005STDSTD and the expenditure of the same amount is authorized to support SeaGate Food Bank of Northwest Ohio for emergency food services in the 2026 calendar year.
SECTION 2. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into an agreement with SeaGate Food Bank of Northwest Ohio for the above authorized purposes, upon written terms and conditions acceptable to the Director of Law and the Director of Housing and Community Development.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Finance is authorized to draw a warrant or warrant against the above Account Code in an amount not to exceed $50,000 in payment of the above-authorized obligation upon presentation of the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that this ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property, and for the further reason that this ordinance must be immediately effective in order to provide support to ensure SeaGate Food Bank of Northwest Ohio is able to continue providing emergency food service to the Toledo community.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 11, nays 0.
Passed: October 28, 2025, as an emergency measure: yeas 11, nays 0.
Attest:
Julie A. Gibbons George Sarantou
Clerk of Council President of Council Pro Tem
Approved: October 28, 2025
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor