City of Takoma Park Food Insecurity Reduction Grants

The City of Takoma Park’s Food Insecurity Reduction Grants aim to provide financial support to programs, projects, and events that reduce or prevent food insecurity among Takoma Park residents. This grant aligns with a mission to ensure community well-being by addressing basic needs and promoting equitable access to food resources. The program's strategic priority is to leverage ARPA funding to create a tangible impact on food security within the city, reflecting a theory of change that direct financial support to local initiatives will effectively combat food insecurity at the community level. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are residents of Takoma Park who experience or are at risk of food insecurity. The program targets 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and 501(c)(6) business associations that serve these individuals. The impact goal is to significantly reduce or prevent food insecurity through targeted interventions, ensuring that vulnerable populations have reliable access to nutritious food. Individuals and for-profit enterprises are not eligible, focusing the grant's resources on established community-oriented organizations. The program prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate a clear strategy for preventing and reducing food insecurity. Funding for FY25 allocates $155,000 in ARPA funding, with individual grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 for a 15-month period, from October 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025. This focus on specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives ensures that funded projects are well-defined and can demonstrate clear progress. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of Takoma Park residents with consistent access to food and a reduction in instances of food insecurity across the community. Measurable results will likely involve metrics such as the number of individuals served by grant-funded programs, the quantity of food distributed, and documented improvements in food access within Takoma Park. The grant duration of 2 years and the specific funding period allow for sustained efforts and the evaluation of long-term impact on food security.