Tribal Council renews Marion-Polk Food Share contract

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals editor

Tribal Council renewed a two-year contract with Marion-Polk Food Share for operation of the Grand Ronde Food Bank (Iskam MǝkʰMǝk-Haws) at its Wednesday, Feb. 19, meeting.

The $375,399 contract includes distribution of approximately 350,000 pounds of emergency food in more than 5,000 boxes to the greater Grand Ronde community.

There are no changes from the previous agreement.

“The amount is the same,” General Manager Angie Blackwell said at a Tuesday, Feb. 11, Legislative Action Committee meeting. “Marion-Polk asked for an increase this year but we told them our departments are holding the line and we’re asking them to do the same. The amount is spread out over two years.”

In addition to food box distribution, the agreement includes training food bank volunteers, working with a grant writer for facility upgrade needs, developing a long-term plan, providing community outreach and education, and managing the Farm Share RX program.

In other action, Tribal Council:

• Approved a per capita period of December through February, with a payment date of Friday, March 14;
• Approved an application to the Oregon Department of Human Services Tribal Navigator grant for up to $228,674;
• Accepted a $69,599 Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance grant;
• Approved an amendment to the memorandum of agreement between the Tribe and the Scappoose School District to extend the agreement for an additional six months with a term ending on Saturday, Aug. 23;
• Approved a limited wavier of the Tribe’s sovereign immunity for the Canva software program;
• Approved a purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of the 48.2-acre Noble Sisters Timberland property for $120,000. The property is located on Highway 22 in Tillamook County, three miles west of the Tribe’s reservation forestlands;
• And approved the enrollment of two infants into the Tribe because they meet the requirements under the Tribal Constitution and Enrollment Ordinance.

To watch the entire meeting, visit the Tribal government’s website at www.grandronde.org and click on the Videos tab.