Food & Friends Property Tax Exemption Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Phil Mendelson

The resolution grants a property tax exemption to Food & Friends, ensuring continued meal delivery to over 3,000 residents facing serious health challenges in D.C.

Resolution R26-0247, Effective from Nov 04, 2025 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 012941

Introduction

The Food & Friends Property Tax Exemption Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025 (PR 26-0375) was introduced on November 3, 2025, by Chairman Phil Mendelson and is aimed at providing a property tax exemption for a specific property owned by the non-profit organization Food & Friends. The resolution was approved on November 4, 2025, under Resolution Number R26-0247.

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of this resolution is to address an immediate need for a property tax exemption for Food & Friends, a non-profit organization that has been serving residents of the District of Columbia since 1988. The organization focuses on providing home-delivered meals and groceries to individuals suffering from serious illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and cancer, who may struggle to secure adequate nutrition.

Key Provisions

Property Tax Exemption: The resolution seeks to amend Title 47 of the District of Columbia Code to grant a property tax exemption for the property located at 219 Riggs Road, NE, identified as Lot 0005, Square 3766.

Support for Expansion: The exemption is intended to facilitate Food & Friends' planned expansion of services, which is crucial for its long-term operations in the District.

Emergency Declaration: The resolution declares the situation as an emergency, allowing it to be adopted after a single reading, thereby expediting the process to ensure immediate support for the organization.

Impact

Beneficiaries: The resolution directly impacts Food & Friends and the approximately 3,039 District residents who received 1,054,585 meals from the organization in 2024, marking a record high in service delivery.

Food Security: The property tax exemption is vital for maintaining and potentially increasing the organization's capacity to provide essential nutrition services, especially in light of ongoing food insecurity and uncertainties surrounding federal nutrition programs.

Operational Viability: Without the exemption, Food & Friends' ability to operate could be severely compromised, negatively affecting thousands of residents who rely on their services.

Procedural Aspects

Immediate Effectiveness: The resolution is effective immediately upon approval, which is critical for addressing the urgent needs of the organization and its clients.

Legislative Timeline: The resolution was introduced on November 3, 2025, and approved on November 4, 2025, demonstrating a swift legislative response to the identified emergency.

Conclusion

The Food & Friends Property Tax Exemption Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025 is a crucial legislative measure aimed at ensuring the continued operation and expansion of Food & Friends, thereby supporting the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations in the District of Columbia. The swift approval of this resolution underscores the importance of timely legislative action in addressing community health and welfare issues.

Bill