Rules & Legislation Committee
December 14, 2023

DATE: November 30, 2023 TO: Members of the City Council and Members of the Public FROM: Councilmember Kalb SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of AB 922 (Wicks) Full title: RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AB 922 (WICKS) TO ESTABLISH THE PREPARED MEALS DELIVERY PROGRAM UNDER THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING MEALS TO UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS AND REQUIRING THE COUNTY OF ALAMEDA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM Dear Colleagues and Members of the Public, As we already know, homelessness is one of the top issues facing the Bay Area and Oakland. In 2022 the Point in Time Count showed that our County’s homelessness population grew 22% since 2019. We also know that although Oakland’s population represents 26% of Alameda County’s population, it represents 52% of the homeless population. This is why Oakland must support this bill. We must provide the necessary resources to help our homeless population. This bill establishes a prepared meals program in Alameda County and provides $6M to fund it. This program will provide healthy options not normally available to our homeless community. Because homeless individuals do not have kitchens, they must rely on what can be purchased with EBT, and we know many homeless individuals do not currently access that resource, as it requires a mailing address and other documentation that can be burdensome to put together. We know this program will work. During the pandemic Alameda County’s Emergency Food Vendor Program which distributed 5M prepared meals using one-time CARES and ARPA funds. The City of Oakland partnered with restaurants to provide meals for residents. Please join me in supporting this bill. For questions, please reach out to: Keara O’Doherty, [email protected]. Respectfully submitted, __________________________ Councilmember Dan Kalb