County approves $500K to aid food pantries
A $500,000 contract procuring food and other supplies for food pantries across Montgomery County was renewed Thursday as concerns of local food insecurity continue.
The unanimously authorized agreement was listed between the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and service providers, Derstine’s Inc., of Sellersville, and Metropolitan Foods Inc., of Wayne, New Jersey.
In partnership with the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network, the contract stipulates that “bulk food and other related products be supplied to county food pantries, and distributed to clients in accordance with existing procedures and practice of the food pantries.”
The contract also includes three remaining renewal opportunities.
“Approving these funds really renews our commitment to addressing hunger and food insecurity in the county. It’s especially important at a time where inflation and rising prices are going to impact all of our residents, and we need to take steps to help them,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Neil Makhija.
The six-figure contract was one of several included in a package approved Thursday that totaled more than $2.6 million.
A $371,160 agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. of Scottsdale, Arizona, covered “support and service” for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office’s 30 body cameras with evidence storage software.
The five-year agreement was obtained through a Sourcewell cooperative contract, and $371,160 will be “billed annually.”
A Pennsylvania State contract permitted the county sheriff’s office to purchase six 2024 Ford model vehicles for $382,300. The contract stipulated three transit vans with upfits, two police interceptor Utility
vehicles with upfits and a base police Interceptor with an upfit.
The state contracted with a number of dealerships, according to the agreement, including Whitmoyer Auto Group of Mount Joy, Lancaster County.
In addition, a roughly $556,007 agreement with Dominion Voting Systems Inc., of Denver, was renewed for the fifth time on Thursday, continuing with the countywide voting system for the 2024 election season. Specifically, the agreement assists with software licensing, hardware warranties and election support services for the primary and general elections.
The Colorado-based company was awarded another roughly $31,027 equipment contract to provide the Montgomery County Office of Voter Services with “additional maintenance equipment and replacement backup batteries for the in-person voting machines.”
A $130,000 one-year agreement with Clemmer Moving & Storage, of Telford, covered election transportation services related to the upcoming primary and general
“Approving these funds really renews our commitment to addressing hunger and food insecurity in the county. It’s especially important at a time where inflation and rising prices are going to impact all of our residents, and we need to take steps to help them.”
— Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Neil Makhija
elections.
The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Feb. 22 on the eighth floor of One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St., Norristown. Those interested in attending the meeting can also do so virtually. Visit montgomerycountypa.gov for more information.