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A paperwork error that seemingly defunded two meals programs for Dallas residents with HIV/AIDS has been resolved, officials said Aug. 18. Funding will be restored to Resource Center Dallas and AIDS Interfaith Network, said Blanca Cantu, spokesperson for Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS). Both RCD and AIN had received the erroneous notice three weeks before Sept. 1, the date when the funds were to be cut.
“Funds that should have been split ... were inadvertently combined,” Cantu said. “Recent notifications of funding awards that were sent to service providers reflected the omission of funding for meals.”
“A revised allocation spreadsheet that reflects funding for both services is being processed immediately for submission to our contracts management division,” Cantu said. “Revised awards are expected to be processed in time so that services are not impacted.”
No cuts will be made to the programs, said Zachary Thompson, director of DCHHS.
The $50,000 AIN receives annually represents one-third of its meal program budget. RCD’s $30,000 is a much smaller proportion of its program budget. Before discovering the initial notice was in error, AIN Executive Director Steven Pace pledged, “For the short run, we plan to sustain the program.” A recent $25,000 grant from the MAC Cosmetics AIDS Fund would have helped expenses temporarily.
Many of the AIN program’s clients are the poorest, most immunocompromised people with HIV in Dallas, including numerous who are homeless. Without the meals, they likely would not be able to take medications. AIN serves breakfast and lunch on weekdays and Saturday dinners occasionally. RCD provides lunch during the week.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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