Montgomery County approves amendment reducing beneficiary total for 2020 CDBG‑CV grant to Mercy House

A county panel on Feb. 10 approved a formal amendment to a 2020 Coronavirus Community Development Block Grant (CDBG‑CV) that reduces the grant’s listed beneficiary total for Mercy House from 2,520 to 397 and allows the county to close out the award.

County staff said the CDBG‑CV award totaled $300,000, of which about $275,000 went toward equipment — a food truck and kitchen and meal‑prep equipment — intended to support meal service for low‑ and moderate‑income residents in unincorporated Montgomery County. Staff said Mercy House was selected as the nonprofit partner, and that Mercy House has completed construction on its food‑preparation facility, Mana House, at the former Corsino’s restaurant on South Court Street.

"This was a 2020, coronavirus community development block, grant that was given by DECA for $300,000; $275,000 went towards equipment," the presenter said, describing the purchases and Mercy House’s role. County staff told commissioners the application originally contemplated splitting beneficiaries among two larger nonprofits; because Mercy House is a smaller organization with limited capacity, staff requested formally amending the beneficiary total to 397 so the county can close the grant. Staff said they had received verbal consent and approval from DECA for the amendment.

A commissioner asked whether indicating 397 beneficiaries during the application phase would have affected Mercy House’s ability to qualify. "I'm not a reader with DECA," the presenter replied, "but I see what you're saying," and reiterated that the original grant anticipated larger nonprofit recipients.

Commissioners discussed the facility and the food truck during the hearing; one commissioner who had seen the truck described it as "really nice." After the public hearing and staff presentation, the commission moved to adopt the formal amendment resolution and the motion carried.

Next steps: the presenter said the county is closing out the grant following the amendment and moving forward with the Mercy House meal‑service operations. The resolution vote was recorded as approved by the commission during the meeting.

Authorities and related local entities referenced in the discussion included DECA and Mercy House; the staff presentation identified Mana House as the local food-preparation facility created with grant support.