A financial boost for agencies that feed Minnesota's hungry.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his wife Gwen stacked cans of vegetables that will be distributed at the Neighborhood House on St. Paul's west side.
This comes as the governor announced that $5 million will be allocated for food security from the American Rescue Plan.
"We hope that these final dollars, as they are allocated out before the end of the year when the American Rescue Plan expires at the end of the year, and it sets us up for the new legislative session to understand that these are ongoing needs," Walz explained. "We understand this is one-time money."
Governor Walz says they will focus on food and housing issues when considering where to allocate the state's remaining dollars in the American rescue Plan.
The money was distributed to Minnesota’s seven regional food banks. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan made the initial announcement at Second Harvest Heartland alongside Second Harvest Heartland CEO Allison O’Toole, Neighborhood House President Nancy Brady, and Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead last week.
"Food shelves and banks step up to help Minnesotans put food on the table when resources are stretched thin,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I’m proud our administration can do our part in providing an additional $5 million to support the year-round work that connects Minnesotans with food resources, especially to meet the rising demand during the holiday season.”
The funds will support the purchase and distribution of in-demand foods at food shelves.
“No family should go hungry this holiday season,” said Walz. “As we continue working to lower costs, we’re making sure our state’s food banks can keep helping families get what they need. We’re grateful for the continued collaboration with partners like Second Harvest that are helping Minnesotans all year round.”
This funding comes in addition to $5 million in emergency food shelf funding the Governor signed into law in February.
"This is a stressful time for families when we see a lot of commercials and things about abundance and families just trying to get by," Walz said Monday. "And whether it's food security or housing security, these are the two priorities that we have continued to focus on and will continue to focus on. I'm grateful for the work that we've been able to do in partnership with our nonprofits."
The clock is ticking for states to use their share of $350 billion in COVID-19 relief funds approved by Congress and President Joe Biden in 2021. Governments must obligate all their American Rescue Plan funds for specific projects by the end of this year or else return the rest to the U.S. Treasury.
About 80% of all funds had been obligated as of March, according to the most recent data reported to the Treasury by more than 26,500 local, state and territorial governments. That’s right on pace to finish in time.