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Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Trump cuts hit flood control and food aid in Miami-Dade. Will Medicaid be next?
Cuts to federal spending yanked $10 million for flood-prevention projects in Miami, slashed USDA produce deliveries to a leading food bank and killed $17 million in grant money that Miami-Dade County hoped to secure for expanding Internet access to low-income households. But those cutbacks aren't what have county administrators worried. It's the even deeper cuts proposed by the Trump administration that they say would bring severe consequences to healthcare, housing and social services throughout Miami-Dade. The county's Democratic mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, laid out potential impacts in a recent memo to county commissioners. With more than $700 billion in Medicaid spending reductions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Republican-backed spending and policy bill that narrowly passed the U.S. House on May 22, Levine Cava's memo warns of local pain if Washington cuts back on the stream of federal healthcare dollars to the Miami area. 'Last year, in Miami-Dade, Medicaid provided services to 40,300 children (30% of the County's children) and 120,700 seniors and people with disabilities,' Levine Cava wrote in the May 19 memo. 'Any reduction in Medicaid funding would significantly impact access to care and economic security.' U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a Republican and Levine Cava's predecessor as county mayor, defended the proposed Medicaid changes that he voted for in the House, including work requirements for some recipients and stricter eligibility scrutiny to prevent 'double-dipping' by Medicaid recipients wrongly enrolled in more than one state program. 'The benefits to eligible residents have not been reduced,' he said. Federal funding accounts for about 6% of the county's $12.7 billion budget — amounting to more than $750 million annually from Washington. Among the funding concerns cited in the memo: A $65 million shortfall in funding for the federal Section 8 rental voucher program that Miami-Dade administers using dollars from Washington. The memo said more than 5,400 households could lose their housing assistance without more federal money in 2025. The potential loss of Head Start childcare dollars through a planned restructuring at the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Miami-Dade runs Head Start childcare centers funded by roughly $90 million a year from Washington. The latest grant expires Oct. 1, and Levine Cava said there's no option yet to apply for a renewal in the federal grant-making system. Cutbacks in federally funded food shipments that make their way to soup kitchens, church pantries and food banks throughout Miami-Dade. Farm Share, a main supplier of free food in the county, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently cut in half the number of semi-trucks packed with cans, produce, and dry goods like rice and beans that find their way to local charities and nonprofits. Farm Share's federal shipments hit about 15 million pounds between February and May last year, compared to 7 million pounds this year, said Stephen Shelley, president of the Homestead-based charity. 'It's concerning,' he said. Even so, Shelley said he's optimistic the cutbacks will be temporary as the second Trump administration retools the program and manages fallout from the shortages. 'This is a cycle that is not uncommon. We're watching, and we're hopeful.' While the memo focuses mostly on potential funding impacts, some examples represent federal money that's already lost. That includes a $16.5 million grant from the Department of Commerce that the county hoped to receive to expand Internet access countywide. One of the biggest hits to Miami-Dade's existing federal funding is a grant designed to help the county lessen current-day flooding, as well as help prepare for sea-level rise. Two of the floodiest spots in Miami-Dade County — the mouth of Little River and the Biscayne Canal — were set to receive multimillion-dollar makeovers designed to protect neighborhoods against high waters and heavy rains. But last month, the Trump administration ended FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities (BRIC) grant program, which launched during Trump's first term. READ MORE: Millions in South Florida flood-control projects on hold after Trump FEMA cuts Planning for the flood protection projects is on schedule to finish up this month. But there's no longer federal money to raise the height of canal walls and purchase bigger pumps to keep rainwater flowing to Biscayne Bay instead of into nearby streets. 'The cancellation of the BRIC program poses a major setback to Miami-Dade County's ability to implement long-term resilience strategies,' Levine Cava wrote. She said the two canceled grants were worth $9.2 million, with another $23 million in pending grant applications also taken off the table. Even so, she said Miami-Dade will be pursuing other federal dollars for the projects — even if they have more strings attached. Levine Cava is already warning of a nearly $400 million shortfall for the county's 2026 budget from increased local spending and slowing growth in property-tax revenues. That can make it harder to snag federal grants because county 'departments continue to face challenges identifying required match funding.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Carmel Assembly of God in Holmes County helping families in need with free food distribution
HOLMES COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)—The Holmes County Sheriff's Office announced a free food distribution event for individuals in need on Tuesday, May 20. The distribution will be at the Carmel Assembly of God from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. while supplies last. Community gives back to cancer patient after hit-and-run leaves wheelchair lift damaged The event is open to all families in the community; no registration required. Sheriff John Tate, Holmes County Emergency Management, in partnership with Carmel Assembly of God, Share Your Heart by Victory Youth, and Farm Share, is proud to host this distribution. For more information, call Pastor Manny at 850-694-6034 or Pastor Bill at 850-541-5440. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
23-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Rising food prices force South Florida families to line up for free groceries
As inflation continues to push grocery prices higher, hundreds of families lined up for free groceries at a food distribution event this week, some arriving hours early, their cars stretching down the street. Clara, one of those in line, said she feeds six people at home and has had no choice but to seek help. "It's really hard out here, food prices really, really high. You can't eat, you can't drink," she said. "So you have to do what you have to do, so I come here — that's how I eat." Food inflation is still climbing According to the USDA's Food Price Outlook, grocery prices are expected to rise another 3.7 percent this year. That follows an 11.4 percent spike in 2022 and smaller increases in 2023 and 2024. Joe, another resident waiting for food, said the impact on his wallet has been staggering. "Now, eggs, hot dogs, you can't buy anything. Something you buy for three dollars is now seven or six dollars. It's bad," he said. More new faces at food giveaways Barbara Sweet, who has overseen food distributions for the City of Miami for over a decade, said the number of people seeking help is rising and many are first-timers. "We see new faces coming. We get calls every week," she said. While newcomers rarely explain why they're there, Sweet says she already knows. "They don't have to tell me why they're here. I know why they're here." Farm Share, the organization supplying the food, confirmed an increase in community need. Volunteers handed out groceries for 500 families during the latest event, with many recipients declining interviews out of privacy or pride. Shay picked up food for her grandmother, who lives on Social Security. "Her little social can't afford rent and groceries at the same time," she said. Upcoming food distributions To find upcoming Farm Share food give-aways this weekend, visit: Farm Share Food Distributions – Florida
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Farm Share to hold multiple food-distribution events for low-income seniors in Northeast Florida
Farm Share, the state-leading food nonprofit, will be hosting multiple food distribution events aimed at distributing food to low-income seniors in Northeast Florida this Saturday. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Senior citizens aged 60 and above will have the opportunity to sign up for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, a federally funded food distribution program. To register, click the link above. Recipients will receive fresh produce,m non-perishable canned goods, and more. Distributions are drive-thru only and vehicles must have access to a trunk or cargo bed. Distributions will be held at the following three locations, starting at 9 am: [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Food distribution events for families in need planned in Putnam County
Farm Share has scheduled two food distribution events Friday in Putnam County. Recipients will receive fresh produce and non-perishable canned goods. 'Distributions are drive-thru only to minimize contact and to help ensure the safety of all parties,' a Farm Share news release states. 'Attendees must arrive in a vehicle with a trunk or cargo bed." >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Event: Interlachen Fire Station 17 Free Food Distribution Location: 217 Kennedy Ave, Interlachen, FL 32148 Date: Friday, February 14, 2025 Time: 9:00 a.m. while supplies last Event: Welaka-Helping Hands Welaka Free Food Distribution Location: 400 4th Ave, Welaka, FL 32193 Date: Friday, February 14, 2025 Time: 9:00 a.m. while supplies last DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Read: Arrest made in fatal Jacksonville I-295 chase, crash Read: Sexual abuse case against former Fleming Island HS coach dropped after statute of limitations passes Read: White House bars AP reporter from Oval Office because of AP style policy on 'Gulf of America' [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
