For the second time in as many years, Richmond Co. councillors have changed how annual foodbank contributions are distributed.
At November’s regular council meeting Monday evening, councillors voted to allow each council member $1750, save for District 5 Councillor Brent Sampson who received $3000, to distribute to foodbanks as they saw fit.
The former council decided last year each councillor could dole out $2000.
There are two food banks in District 5, and Isle Madame’s two districts, District 1 and District 2, are served by only one.
Afterward, Warden Amanda Mombourquette said, ideally, council would have been able to fund each foodbank equally, but this was a required compromise.
“A solution that would be the least punitive to anyone in particular, and the most helpful to everyone.”
Mombourquette said the $10,000 budget line for foodbank funding was decided by the last council.
She said COVID-19 means food banks are under more strain than ever, and this was the best solution given budget constraints.
“I think it really was in the best interest of the public, and it was the least that we could do as a council, to figure out a more equitable solution.”
Mombourquette said council will further look at foodbank funding during 2021-22 budget deliberations.
