BREAKING: Special Meeting Scheduled on New Food Pantry Aid
Wednesday’s meeting comes after its 2–4 rejection of emergency funding for island food pantries sparked community outrage, particularly over comments made by Mayor Henriquez and Commissioner Castillo.
The Key West City Commission has called a special meeting for Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. at City Hall, 1300 White Street, to reconsider emergency “Human Services Funding” after a surge of public outrage over last week’s refusal to support the island’s food pantries.
The move follows Above the Fold’s reporting and editorial on the commission’s Dec. 2 vote rejecting a $40,000 allocation to assist local food-distribution partners facing rising demand tied to the holiday season and a federal SNAP disruption caused by the government shutdown ordered by former President Donald Trump. The measure failed 2–4, with Commissioners Sam Kaufman and Monica Haskell in favor, and Mayor Danise Henriquez and Commissioners Lissette Carey, Aaron Castillo, and Donie Lee opposed. A scaled-back $20,000 compromise proposed by Lee failed 3-3.
“This might be the Christmas miracle I was hoping for,” said Haskell.
The meeting will be streamed live at the City’s website.
This is an evolving story. Watch this space.