[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6550862,"mediaKeyId","5360566-3600f397e44ed78d7be1438a1bf25f1d","parentId",5360566,"title","Committee discusses $50,000 proposal to help victims of SNAP theft","audioSeconds",252,"startMs",1950000,"endMs",2202000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5360566-3600f397e44ed78d7be1438a1bf25f1d&start=1950&end=2202","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5360566-3600f397e44ed78d7be1438a1bf25f1d/thumbnail_1950000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550862/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-discusses-50000-proposal-to-help-victims-of-SNAP-theft","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550862-0664e06497e9bd1083786892662df936/orig.mp4?Expires=1770945909&Signature=KMmH9UaW2h4XDU8w52ZTXUtKv1O2O1CicslY440OpyFfUQmfkWAgBosTwcwGaN98B1xW6o-JbPlxY3Ft6OWr415MV0jSoLljY4p~rxrMXSZhxZQl~XuhiusZkZZPKdn5FgE2euqPYth3iDgThcXa2rLRojIzFwgwwgOE7cYNuaC9gnrLKbiiEoh9ekrbWk7nsL1NTj~FSveyZy2ODRtz9wmiP2OG7I1jBGg71O~Nf98prIkYz4PEcIra5nGHU4MAEcSqYCdncMWSVKPKQDQUdor~s~M~3hhihVmuugUvx6cOEW7vYOgt97mfYnA6xzRH~wYDPH7PBackIJJNOAY5Sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-07-10T00:00:00Z","article","Committee members discussed a proposal to allocate $50,000 in unassigned funds to the city’s family crisis fund to provide immediate assistance to families whose SNAP benefits have been stolen, but took no formal vote and asked staff and counsel to return with next steps.

Chairwoman Cheryl Lynch described a sharp increase in calls reporting SNAP theft and cited an earlier finding of a 63% increase in call volume to case representatives when the issue was first examined. Lynch and other members said the immediate priority is ensuring households have food while longer-term fraud remedies are pursued.

The committee noted $50,000 in unassigned nondepartmental funds from the budget are available and discussed directing some or all of that amount for SNAP replacement assistance. Councilmember Bridal said the allocation is \"a great idea\" and compatible with the original intent of the budget line, but asked whether the committee could act immediately or needed to route the change through the administration or as an ordinance.

Legal counsel and staff indicated the change would likely require an ordinance or other formal council action to reallocate unassigned funds. Committee staff Will Perkins said there was not a scheduled August meeting for the committee and that the next regularly scheduled meeting would be Sept. 11; members requested the matter be moved quickly so assistance can reach families.

No formal motion was made; staff and counsel were asked to review the legal process needed to transfer or appropriate the funds and to return to the committee or full council with recommended next steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Education and Human Services Meeting - July 10, 2025, at 200 p.m. - Jul 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members discussed allocating $50,000 from unassigned funds to the family crisis fund to provide replacement cards or gift cards to families affected by SNAP theft; staff and counsel were asked to return with the legal steps needed to enact the allocation.","taxTitle","Richmond City (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",5755,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550867,"Committee approves multiple advisory-board appointments, tables Lewis Ginter pick",352,1396000,1748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5360566-3600f397e44ed78d7be1438a1bf25f1d&start=1396&end=1748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5360566-3600f397e44ed78d7be1438a1bf25f1d/thumbnail_1396000.jpg","/articles/6550867/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-approves-multiple-advisory-board-appointments-tables-Lewis-Ginter-pick","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550867-807bebff020c14eb90ed465cd0243f97/orig.mp4?Expires=1770945909&Signature=joakQlwGEs3Vs3d9Z6XCeg37vXy-Dhs-rudVBJ3TgBpv~5z69tI4~9nR1s8GPiFsD79tRdTPBTcXJLAvDfXa5d~4hKqTgAUiCs9hCWt~v8oW8NQvesSuMBlon4gAeWFLagvm7qY2myQUkuxfZE3sYTS18R1d9G9IbHlIuMrbvpbdLaV4tW0kBp0QLYNFBldC1zNEQ9YM4HPb4g7QbNaxKdyMXK2VjThZfIwiQ~DWgGUL0kq02V~6MIdZiFR-5vGRkGjINN-9GqGLQZ4RCc0Zc~Psgrh5HzxTC0S8zQS0UDtcwxrESPEtHM8Pmzcz8934yBVesFOoRc7Q1rGD8PLxWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Education and Human Services Standing Committee approved a block of advisory-board appointments and referred them as committee recommendations on Thursday.

Pamela Nichols, council management analyst, presented a vacancy report listing openings and applications across several boards. The committee approved appointments for the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks, the Capital Area Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) policy advisory board, the Future Workforce Commission, the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA), the Richmond Public Library Board and the Social Services Advisory Board. The committee moved to table the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens appointment to the next quarter.

Chairwoman Cheryl Lynch read nominations for the block motion on the record: Vic Murphy for the Parks and Recreation advisory board; Beverly Hawkins for the ASAP policy advisory board; Victor Goches and Thad Williamson for the Future Workforce Commission; Veranda Cobbs (RBHA); Kirk Pickrell for the Richmond Public Library Board; and Camden Whitehead for the Social Services Advisory Board. The mayor had previously appointed Thad Williamson to the Future Workforce Commission, which the clerk noted completed mayoral vacancies for that board.

Committee members asked whether the relevant boards or administrations had provided input on candidates; Nichols said the administration had not provided recommendations and that RBHA had supported both RBHA nominees. The committee voted on the block motion; Vice Chair Breton and Chairwoman Lynch recorded “Aye” on the roll call and the motion carried. No public comment was recorded on the appointments during the hearing.

The Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens appointment was postponed to a future meeting. The committee approved the minutes from its June 12, 2025 meeting and completed the vacancy business.","The committee approved a slate of appointments to advisory boards including Parks and Recreation, RBHA, the Richmond Public Library Board and the Social Services Advisory Board, while tabling the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens appointment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550870,"Committee advances $309,000 to Caritas for winter surge shelter operations",1200,178000,1378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5360566-3600f397e44ed78d7be1438a1bf25f1d&start=178&end=1378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5360566-3600f397e44ed78d7be1438a1bf25f1d/thumbnail_178000.jpg","/articles/6550870/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-advances-309000-to-Caritas-for-winter-surge-shelter-operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550870-877360a9d7f088f26952e3aa92722067/orig.mp4?Expires=1770945909&Signature=exLhsAjIQMClXohCk81k9oiPo4UlGpEEBfomGR02OQBNDKkvajCjVqMQr3QGUsyw8GrM7Izuq6csebeSTcxp0hDq5DyYgzBU~-zKZHyU3jF~ynKcjEDYdgNYX6H52H6rZTo0iz0P0eRBoormu2Wl3D97NzCnn85LkFvy0-7uWQGqvOzWtLu8nJEZsLWPmRCihkXfZihcfGeMlWLpwMEyBUjdVnCVS4X8xvFVy5X3YXkR3Mr3GApoazoPdlDfWgEnEGPwTBZgE-bNnjNzTKyoBCD6NAs0hWLmbRFQDE1GWMOEE74sl9PcSQEE2d6ZfJLGTd6OfYKXgET0rqFM-YjnUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Education and Human Services Standing Committee on Thursday voted to forward Ordinance 2025-163 to the full City Council with a recommendation to approve $309,000 in reappropriated funds for Caritas to operate surge overflow shelter capacity during inclement winter weather.

The funding would transfer $200,000 from a one-time line called Heart of Richmond and $109,000 from the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (DNCS) to a new line item titled “Caritas,” the clerk reported during the public hearing on the paper. No members of the public registered to speak on the ordinance during the hearing.

The recommendation matters because the city’s core inclement-weather provider, the Salvation Army, operates 106 beds and city staff said extreme weather last winter — 28 nights of very cold or snowy conditions — exposed the need for additional capacity. The Caritas proposal discussed at the meeting includes a surge component of up to 60 beds for up to 30 nights during extreme weather and additional staff to support year‑round shelter and housing navigation work.

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Amy Popovich told the committee the city and Caritas worked on a two-pronged plan: a surge response for extreme-weather nights and enhanced year‑round case management to move people through the homeless services continuum. \"We have our next coordinator who will start Anna Jones on Monday. Additionally, stay tuned for our naloxone vending machines. They're outdoor and they are actively being installed today,\" Popovich said.

City staff described the broader Caritas proposal as a $618,000 package that would fund three full-time positions — a shelter supervisor, a full-time case manager and a housing navigator — and operating costs for surge nights. The ordinance before the committee would reappropriate $309,000 from prior-year funds; staff said the Heart of Richmond balance was available because it was a short-term line in FY24–25 and the DNCS amount came from unspent funds tied to a vacant staff position.

An administration representative told the committee the surge appropriation includes money targeted to food, security and facility costs for the surge nights and that the city would track nights used and remaining budget. \"If we use 15 out of the 30 nights, we'll have a conversation next March about where the budget is,\" the administration representative said, noting that additional nights beyond the funded 30 would incur prorated costs.

The committee voted to forward the ordinance with a recommendation to approve. Vice Chair Breton and Chairwoman Cheryl Lynch recorded “Aye” on the roll call and the motion carried.

The ordinance now goes to the full Richmond City Council for consideration; committee members and staff said they would return with performance numbers and tracking if the funding is used during the winter season.","A Richmond City committee voted to forward an ordinance recommending $309,000 in reappropriated funds to Caritas to support surge overflow shelter capacity during extreme winter weather and to bolster year‑round case management supports.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee discusses $50,000 proposal to help victims of SNAP theft

Committee approves multiple advisory-board appointments, tables Lewis Ginter pick

Committee advances $309,000 to Caritas for winter surge shelter operations