With time running out to spend the nearly $1 billion left in funding for the CARES Act, Gov. Kay Ivey has set out to spend the funds on citizens in need in Alabama. The current deadline for spending the CARES Act funds is December 31. Over 80 organizations recently banded together to write a letter to Ivey urging her not to let the money go back to the federal government. The advocacy organizations all agreed that there are four main priorities for spending the funds: alleviating hunger; addressing evictions and homelessness; supporting people particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, and child care.
Ivey and other governors recently asked the federal government for more time to spend the funds during a meeting with the National Governors Association Executive Committee. During the meeting, the governor underscored to the group that it would benefit the states to remove that barrier and give all states the flexibility to continue spending those dollars in the first few months of 2021.
Gina Maiola issued an update on the CARES Act funding stating Governor Ivey has allocated $3,606,104 for the Alabama Feeding Initiative. The allocation comes from the category providing “Up to $300,000,000 to be used to support citizens, businesses, and non-profit and faith-based organizations of the state directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic”.
The funds will be used to reimburse food banks for the following COVID-related expenses:
- the purchase of food, packaging, and related supplies to meet increased demand;
- operational expenses, including fuel and maintenance, incurred due to handling a higher amount for food, as well as open-air distribution events;
- rental costs of storage space and vehicles to handle increased volumes of food; and
- to purchase PPE, screening equipment, and decontamination services to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Ivey stated, “Alabama is a state where neighbors help neighbors, even in the most difficult times. The Coronavirus pandemic presented significant challenges around the world, as well as here at home in our own state. Food banks in communities across Alabama have been a lifeline for those in need, and I am proud to be able to put these funds toward the Alabama Feeding Initiative. I have told Alabamians that I remain committed to getting these CARES Act funds into the hands of those who need it.”
