(The Center Square)- The city of Denver is looking to spend an additional $510,000 for the purchase of meals at the city’s migrant shelters.
The contracts between the city and county of Denver and Michaels of Denver Catering Inc. would be extended until Dec. 31, 2024, according to the June 26 safety, housing, and homeless committee meeting agenda.
The original contract for services with Michaels of Denver Catering Inc. was originally for the amount of $500,000 to feed the incoming migrants in May 2023. That number increased to $1 million in October, and the city added an additional $350,000 in March to cover for the month of June.
The second contract with Colorado Hospitality Services, Inc. would be amended to add another increase of $510,000, bringing the updated total to $1.9 million and extending it until Dec. 31, 2024.
The combined contract amounts total $3.2 million for the purchase of meals for those in the shelters.
“We anticipate there will be a need to offer short-term shelter for the next few months and as such we’ll need to be able to feed our guests.” said Jon Ewing, Marketing and Communications Specialist, in an email to The Center Square.
The Denver spokesperson said the contract is “pay as needed” and is about being prepared for any scenario. “It’s better to have it and not need it than the alternative.”
Mayor Mike Johnston announced in February of this year that the city had reallocated funds from the city budget, including $10 million from the contingency fund and $15 million from a building remodel, and put them in the city’s Border Crisis Special Revenue Fund.
Since the beginning of the migrant crisis, the city has served more than 42,000 migrants and spent over $72 million on migrant services, according to the city’s website.
