Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item#____3____



Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting



Agenda Report#_____22_____



To: Mayor and Council



Subject: Bright From the Start (previously OSR)



Initiated By: Parks and Recreation Department

________________________________________________________________________



Recommendation: Authorize the City of Columbus to continue acceptance of funds

from Bright From the Start, formally known as Office of School Readiness, for

reimbursement of snacks provided for After School and Summer Lunch

participants. There are two grants to be received from Bright From the Start;

the CACFP (child and adult food service program) snack reimbursement

approximately $90,000.00 and the SFSP approximately $425,000.00 (summer food

service program).



Background: These programs are designed to offer nutritious lunches and snacks

daily to the youth of Columbus enrolled in established recreation programs in

the city of Columbus. Participants are provided recreational and educational

activities until 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.



Analysis: Bright From the Start is funding this grant at minimal cost to the

Department of Parks and Recreation or the City of Columbus. This entity also

provides funding for the summer lunch program annually. The costs of snacks for

this program are approximately $ .71 cents per child while lunches are

approximately $2.41. The reimbursement will be approximately $ .60 cents per

snack and $2.35 for lunch, resulting in per snack cost of .11 cents and .06

cents per each lunch. Monthly expenditures for costs exceed $25,000.00;

therefore city expenditures could be reduced by an estimated 88% per month

during the City of Columbus fiscal year. These grants are a continuation of

grant funding that was received during the 2004 fiscal year and will continue

throughout fiscal year 2005.



Amend: Amend the multi grant funding as needed for the SFSP and CACFP grant

reimbursements to cross over the Columbus Consolidated Government fiscal year.



Financial Considerations: The grant amounts are approximately $ 90,000.00 for

the Child and Adult Food Program (snack) and $425,000.00 for the Summer Food

Service Program (summer lunch). The City is not required to put up any matching

funds to participate in this grant and funding will be handled by reimbursement.



Recommendation: Authorize a resolution to accept funds in the amount of

$425,000.00 and $90,000.00 from Bright From the Start for the Department of

Parks and Recreation Community Schools Division to participate in the snack and

summer lunch reimbursement program grant annually July 2004 through June 2005.