The City Commission is very sensitive to the struggles that its residents have been facing in the years since the Covid-19 pandemic erupted. The pandemic and its new variants are still causing widespread illness and financial hardship to many North Miami Beach residents. In an effort to assist our residents with food insecurity, Commissioner Villard is requesting the City Commission to join her in authorizing the sponsorship of a Public Gift Cards Initiative using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to purchase 1,500 Publix Gift Cards valued at $150.00 each to be issued to residents who have experienced financial hardship and food insecurity due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The City Manager will develop a process to ensure that the $150.00 Publix Gift Cards are issued to residents who are able to provide valid identification or other acceptable identification to prove residency in the City of North Miami Beach.

The request is that 1,500 Publix Gift Cards valued at $150.00 each be purchased using ARPA funds for a total cost of $225,000.00