Commissioners discuss, and table, proposal to transfer $40,000 to support Coos County food pantries

Commissioners discussed a proposal to transfer $40,000 from the county economic development fund to support Coos County food pantries that experienced unusual depletion during a recent federal shutdown. The proposal was presented by a commissioner as a one-time transfer to "buttress" pantry supplies.

Staff told the board they had consulted with Laura Hunter, who runs FoodShare under ORCA, and reported FoodShare is "decently stocked" through the end of the year but faces post-holiday concerns in January. On the record staff cited distribution figures described in the meeting as "141,000 per month" last year, "about 100,000" last month, and a 2020 high of "2,400,000." The transcript does not specify the units for those figures (for example, pounds, meals or people served), and staff did not clarify units during the meeting.

Given staff reports that shipments from the Oregon Food Bank were expected this week and that current pantry stocks were workable, commissioners agreed there was no emergent need and tabled further action, with a suggestion to revisit the matter in a month or two if conditions change.

The board did not vote to transfer funds at the meeting; the proposal remains under consideration.