Report to: General Committee Report
Date:
SUBJECT: Markham Food Bank: Request for Funding
PREPARED BY: Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor
RECOMMENDATION:
That the report entitled “Markham Food Bank: Request for Funding” be received,
AND THAT the
Markham Food Bank be given a one-time grant in the amount of $8,925 to cover
50% of their gross lease expenses for the period
AND THAT the grant of $8,925 be funded from the Corporate Contingency Account #84841-7849;
AND THAT an annual grant to the Markham Food Bank be considered as part of the annual operating budget process;
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Not applicable.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Funds for the
one-time grant to the Markham Food Bank are available in account #84841-7849.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to seek authorization for funding to cover 50% of the Markham Food Bank’s gross lease expenses and to recommend that the Town consider future requests as part of its annual budget.
BACKGROUND:
The Town has provided the Markham Food Bank with a number of grants over the years 1998 to 2006 to cover its gross lease expenses respecting Unit 18a at the rear of 70 Main Street, Markham, the most recent of which was a one-time grant approved by Council on April 3, 2006 in the amount of $10,100 to cover only a portion of the gross lease expenses for the period April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007.
Council further recommended that staff undertake a detailed feasibility study of the Markham Food Bank, including space requirements, alternative locations and the benefits of the Food Bank to residents, and report back.
OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:
On April 7, 2007,
staff received correspondence from Markham Food Bank advising that it has
executed a new one year lease for unit 18a at 70 Main Street at a gross rental
rate of $10 per square foot per annum plus G.S.T (including taxes, utilities,
maintenance, insurance), or $17,850.40.
This rent remains unchanged from the previous year and is considered to
be the lower end of the market for rental space. It is unlikely that cheaper space can be
found in the current market ($10.00 per square foot is sufficient to cover the
landlords costs and produce a nominal net rent). Further, the Markham Food Bank advises that
its volunteers live within walking distance of
The Markham Food Bank is requesting that the Town provide a grant to cover 50% of its occupancy costs for 2007, amounting to $8,925. It advises that it requires assistance in order to cover increased overhead (storage boxes, plastic bags, baby formula etc.) and upcoming language translation services to cover an ever broadening ethnic base (over half of its clients do not speak English). The Food Bank estimates that its clientele has grown on an average of about 100 clients per month on annual basis, to the point where it now serves 550 people per month. Forty per cent of its clients are school age or younger.
As the Markham Food Bank operates on a year to year rental basis it is anticipated that the Town will continue to receive annual grant requests from the Markham Food Bank. In order to simplify the process and eliminate staff reports to Council, it is recommended that requests for funding be considered as part of the annual budget process.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:
None
ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:
None
ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:
None
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Finance.
RECOMMENDED
BY: ________________________ ________________________
Catherine Conrad John Livey
Attachment 1 Request from the Markham Food Bank