As food insecurity grows steadily into 2022, the Board of County Commissioners has added another $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Fund to nonprofit food relief programs throughout the county.
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted on Wednesday to extend the County’s support of nonprofit food relief programs into 2022 with another $5 million from the American Rescue Plan funding. This is the second $5 million allocations from the plan that will go directly toward providing food access to this in need in Hillsborough County.
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Food insecurity rates have continued to rise since the COVID-19 pandemic amidst an unemployment crisis, decreased access to medical care due to the COVID-19 overflow, and national economic fluctuations that are leaving many struggling to afford rent and put food on the table. It is estimated that the population of County residents who face challenges with food access has grown from about 180,000 to 260,000 during the past two years. Racial and socioeconomic disparities are also affecting rates of food insecurity in certain Hillsborough county regions, which is where aid will be targeted with the $5 million funding.
Much of the funding from the American Rescue Plan in Hillsborough county and Central Florida has gone to fight food insecurity at the local level, as this addresses the plan’s goal to provide equitable recovery for the most vulnerable and underserved residents in the community.
In February 2022, funding from the American Rescue Plan was also used for hospital funding in underserved areas to provide COVID-19 care for both current cases and those suffering from lingering physical and mental symptoms of COVID-19. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved $16.4 million in American Rescue Plan Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for three local hospitals.
Providing access to food and healthcare are a top priority for the County as the community recovers from COVID-19 and will continue to partner with local food banks and nonprofits to ensure access is available for all residents. Their current partners include:
These partners include:
- Feeding Tampa Bay
- Metropolitan Ministries
- East Tampa Business and Civic Association
- United Food Bank & Services of Plant City