The Tacoma City Council unanimously voted to adopt Resolution 41977 to allocate $15,000 in Council contingency funds to support St. Leo Food Connection’s pilot partnership with Tacoma Public Library. This resolution was sponsored by District 2 Council Member Sarah Rumbaugh and co-sponsored by District 1 Council Member John Hines and District 3 Council Member Jamika Scott.
“Recognizing an increasing need for accessible food resources for children and families, my priority this year has been to expand food access for children in places where they spend time and feel safe,” said Council Member Rumbaugh. “I am thankful to St. Leo Food Connection and Tacoma Public Library for their collaboration on creating this partnership.”
As a result of this collaboration, St. Leo Food Connection has launched a pilot partnership with Tacoma Public Library that includes serving Summer Meals at Main Library, providing healthy snacks at three additional libraries, and exploring the feasibility of a pop-up pantry at the Main Library to increase access to nutritious food for children and families.
“Tacoma Public Library is grateful for the City of Tacoma’s support to continue its partnership with St. Leo Food Connection,” said Library Director Amita Lonial. “By providing nutritious food in places where people already gather, this partnership is combating hunger while strengthening our community.”
“St. Leo Food Connection is grateful to the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Library for recognizing the importance and benefits of providing food to children and families in the spaces where they already gather, and for supporting this new effort to expand food access into these spaces,” said St. Leo Food Connection Director Dawn Whitman.
Funding will be used to purchase food and snacks for distribution through the library-based programs, expanding access to food for children and families while evaluating the effectiveness of this community-based service model.
“As a teacher, I have seen firsthand the negative consequences our kids can face when they go hungry,” said Council Member Hines. “Hunger cuts short our kids’ potential by damaging their ability to focus in the classroom and setting back their physical development. Supporting the St. Leo Food Connection pilot program is an important step for our kids today and one that will help set them up for success in the years to come. I am proud that our City Council is recognizing the central role food plays in any commitment to healthy living and an active lifestyle.”
“Community partnerships are vital for ensuring that all our kids have access to the resources they need, especially when it comes to food,” said Council Member Scott. “Supporting this collaboration between Tacoma Public Library and St. Leo Food Connection was an easy ‘yes’ for me. We need to continue to find more ways to expand our resources by leveraging partnerships and I believe this pilot is going to showcase the great work that can be done when we collaborate.”
City Council regular and committee meeting access details are available at cityoftacoma.legistar.com.