Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Human Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All
Acceptance of Meal Donations from the United Way of Greater Atlanta and Gate Group for DeKalb Residents in Need of Food during the COVID-19 Pandemic- At No Cost to the County
Body
Information Contact: Damon Scott, Director, Human Services Department
Phone Number: (404) 687-2385
PURPOSE:
To consider accepting a donation of meals from the United Way of Greater Atlanta and Gate Group and to authorize the distribution of these meals to DeKalb residents in need of supplemental nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NEED/IMPACT:
The United Way of Greater Atlanta (UWGA) brings together people and resources to tackle complex issues and drive sustainable positive change to help communities thrive. United Way serves as a platform that enables individuals, groups and companies to make a difference - individually and collectively. DeKalb County has an established partnership with the United Way of Greater Atlanta. The County was chosen by Vanessa Rousell, UWGA County Engagement Director for this current opportunity to receive donated meals from Gate Group. These meals will to help children, seniors and families living in DeKalb.
Gate Group, doing business as Gate Gourmet, is a global leader in airline catering and on board hospitality products. This international company serves an estimated 700 million passengers a year in over 60 countries worldwide. In 2019, Gate Group generated over $5 billion in revenue. Gate Group is headquartered in Switzerland and employees over 43,000 employees worldwide. The current COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic has greatly impacted business and industry and forced millions of individuals to stop working in favor of sheltering in place. This partnership provides a wonderful opportunity to bring comfort and support to many people who are suffering during these uncertain times.
If approved, the DeKalb Human Services Department will receive a minimum of 2,225 meals per week over a 6-8 week period. Human Services, in response to COVID-19 already has a specific system in place for meal delivery. The Department routinely delivers meals to families. In addition, the Department operates a Senior Link Line (770) 322-2950 which is staffed by I&A Specialists which can support the work of this project.
Meals will be delivered to one site and the Human Services Department has identified the Lou Walker Senior Center as the designated drop off location for the meals. This center is 40,000 sq. ft. and has ample parking and capabilities to handle pallets of food. The center’s Victory Room has plenty of space to handle the sorting of meals while maintaining the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations for social distancing.
Needs Identification Strategy
Human Services identified the families and the seniors in need of meals by working with ARC, our non-profits, case management, DeKalb County Schools, our Healthcare partners (Emory, Whitefoord, Wesley Woods, others) and our Senior Link line. The Department also conducted resource mapping with the County’s Planning/GIS departments. The Community Development Department was brought onboard as a partner to help identify members of the homeless population in DeKalb who would benefit from meals. The United Way and Gate Gourmet have delivered meals nationwide and would like to start the donation process for DeKalb County immediately in order to assist families coping with COVID-19. If approved, the delivery of meals would begin early April 2020.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the County because this is a donation and there is no match requirement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Accept the donation of meals, authorize disbursements and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute all necessary documents.