Purpose

Provide funding from the general fund to support drop-in services run by the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. The goal is to help low-income individuals by meeting basic needs and improving access to food, hygiene items, clothing, and connection to housing, employment, and social services.

Main Provisions

• Funding amount and duration:
  • $250,000 in fiscal year 2026
  • $250,000 in fiscal year 2027
• Source: General fund
• Administration: Funds are appropriated to the commissioner of children, youth and families to grant to the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (GMCC) for drop-in support services.
• Use of funds:
  • Provide one hot prepared meal and takeaway food bags that increase access to nutritious, healthy, and culturally appropriate food.
  • Supply hygiene items including towels and washcloths, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo and soap.
  • Provide menstrual products.
  • Offer clean clothes and undergarments.
  • Distribute hats, gloves, hand warmers, and blankets.
  • Facilitate access to resources for housing, employment, and social services.

Funding and Administration

• The appropriation is specifically for a grant to GMCC and is to be managed by the commissioner of children, youth and families.
• Fiscal years covered: 2026 and 2027.

Impacts and Goals

• Aims to reduce immediate needs for people experiencing poverty or hardship by delivering basic essentials (food, hygiene, clothing) and helping connect individuals with housing, work opportunities, and social services.
• Focuses on meals, food security, hygiene, clothing, and access to essential services through a community-based organization.

Significance and Policy Context

• This bill creates a targeted funding stream to support shelter and community services for low-income residents through a faith-based or community organization.
• It emphasizes access to culturally appropriate food and essential personal items, aligning with broader goals to reduce food insecurity and homelessness and to improve access to social supports.

Changes to Existing Law

• No changes to statutes are described. The bill would create a new appropriation for grant funding to GMCC; it does not alter existing law beyond establishing this funding.

Relevant Terms - general fund - appropriation - grant - commissioner of children, youth and families - Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches - drop-in support services - hot prepared meals - takeaway food bags - nutritious, healthy, culturally appropriate food - hygiene supplies - towels - washcloths - toothpaste - toothbrushes - shampoo - soap - menstrual products - clean clothes - undergarments - hats - gloves - hand warmers - blankets - housing - employment - social services - fiscal year 2026 - fiscal year 2027