CONTRA COSTA COUNTY - File #: 25-3112

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally	Action Details	Meeting Details	Video
8/5/2025	1	BOARD OF SUPERVISORS	approved	Pass		Action details	Meeting details	Not available

To: Board of Supervisors

From: Monica Nino, County Administrator

Report Title: Final Report on the Measure X Innovation Fund Round 1 Projects

☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee

RECOMMENDATIONS:

RECEIVE final report on the five grant projects from the first allocation of Innovation Funds.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Informational report. No fiscal impact.

Of the $2M allocated in the first round of the Innovation Fund, $30,000 was used for five planning grants and $1,790,737 for five project grants, leaving $179,263 unallocated. All projects have been completed, with a $3,728 balance unclaimed under the Lincoln grant. The total balance available from Round 1 is $182,991.

BACKGROUND:

On October 17, 2023, the Board of Supervisors awarded $1,790,737 in Measure X Innovation Fund grants to five projects after a year-long bidding process. Contracts were signed on December 1, 2023. Two projects ended on January 15, 2025, one on February 28, 2025, and two on June 30, 2025.

Below is a brief overview of each project, the Innovation Funds used, and a summary of performance and goals met. It also includes any challenges reported by grantees and their impacts on project outcomes or timelines.

Also available on the County’s Innovation Fund webpage are short videos in English and Spanish featuring each project: <https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/10280/First-Round-Awards>

Today's brief video presentation features highlights from all five project videos, produced by the Office of Media and Communication, with special thanks to Lissette Davis, Community and Media Relations Specialist, for showcasing the significant work of the project teams and the dedication of those providing public services.

FINAL REPORT

Program Summary: The project promised to increase food security within the County through the purchase and installation of food lockers to enable eligible individuals to retrieve food anonymously and at their convenience. Like the Amazon Hub Locker model, banks of 20 climate-controlled lockers were placed either inside or outdoors at locations around the county. Food orders were placed electronically, and user codes were granted for food pick-up. Distributions began with a standard set of food staples, with a long-term goal of customizing selections for dietary preferences or restrictions. There is capacity for up to three locker fills daily, so each 20-locker bank could potentially serve 60 families/households daily. Locker installation was delayed due to sourcing. Consequently, the County Administrator extended the grant period for this project through June 30, 2025 to enable the Food Bank to complete the project.

Project Completion

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano has successfully met its outlined goal: to enhance the accessibility of food assistance within Contra Costa County. Through the support of the Innovation Fund, residents of Contra Costa now benefit from four food locker banks, with a fifth one forthcoming. Feedback from both locker administrators and users indicates that the Food Bank has achieved its objectives of improving accessibility, increasing access to nutritious food, and reducing stress for individuals with limited time availability. Clients have expressed their gratitude, stating: “Thank you for this opportunity as I find it difficult to fit within the operating hours of other pantries. Your efforts for the community are greatly appreciated.”

Additionally, the Food Bank’s Innovation Fund project has demonstrated that this initiative is both replicable and scalable. With adequate funding, the Food Bank could install lockers at more locations and further enhance accessibility for individuals who require assistance. Although there was some initial hesitation from the host sites, the ease of use and positive impact of the lockers on meeting client needs have addressed their concerns; locker administrators appreciate being able to provide this service to the community.

Neighbors have reported valuing the flexibility lockers provide, particularly those with disabilities or transportation difficulties (“My disability prevents me from waiting in line…” / “I have a hard time getting around the time frame of other pantries”). Others mentioned the help received during challenging times (“Thank you for helping to keep our family fed during a difficult period” / “I appreciate this. I just lost my job”). Demographic and statistical data, along with user feedback, has been very useful for the project team to refine and improve the services.

Please find updates for each site and project activity highlights from this reporting period:

§ Refuge Food Pantry in Concord (Central County) - Lockers have been operational since late December 2024. This site has enabled the OrderAhead functionality, allowing them to collect user feedback. The site has experienced a significant increase in users over the past month, likely due to media coverage from the informational video (details under “Deliverables”). The Food Bank team has supported the Refuge team by assisting with tools and inventory management. Fortunately, the pantry manager, Antonio, is dedicated to helping people and has successfully adapted to the increase in users.

§ Los Medanos College in Brentwood (East County) - Lockers have been operational since early February. This site is temporarily closed due to staffing issues but is scheduled to reopen in mid-July.

§ DVC San Ramon (South County) - Lockers have been operational since January. Summer usage is low due to fewer campus visitors. Currently, no butter or cheese is available due to lack of refrigeration. OrderAhead functionality is active for user feedback.

§ Contra Costa College in San Pablo (West County) - Lockers have been operational since late March. Summer usage is lower due to fewer campus visitors.

§ DVC Pleasant Hill (5th site) - Site preparation, including electrical work and concrete slab installation, was completed by June 26, 2025. The lockers from Australia, delayed due to U.S. tariff uncertainties, are now in the United States. They will be tested for a week before final installation. The project team is coordinating the timeline with DVC, Click N Collect, and Feeding America to connect to OrderAhead. This site shares the same contact as DVC San Ramon, ensuring smooth communication and clear expectations.

§ The Food Bank and locker host sites are pleased with the service from Click N Collect, the locker vendor and technology provider.

§ The Food Bank developed a user guide for ordering food through the OrderAhead platform. They provided training sessions for all four original sites and addressed any issues that emerged.

Project deliverables

The Food Bank has completed its project deliverables, which are outlined as milestones in its agreement with the County. Milestone highlights during this reporting period include:

§ Locker banks have been branded, installed, and are operational at four sites. MOUs are in place with regular food deliveries.

§ The MOU with DVC Pleasant Hill (fifth site) was executed on February 6, 2025; the fifth locker bank was ordered. The 5th site has been assessed, and site preparation is complete.

§ The Food Bank aids program promotion with site-specific fliers created by their internal designer. They shared locker information with community partners and 211 for referrals. Refuge’s lockers are listed on the Food Bank’s Find Food Map website. Colleges distribute fliers on site and have signage.

§ All four sites use OrderAhead’s client feedback feature. The project team monitors feedback on the menu, with clients generally satisfied. No changes have been made to the menu.

Impediments. This reporting period had minor challenges that were resolved collaboratively with partners. Scheduling site preparation at DVC Pleasant Hill was challenging due to bureaucracy, but working with the pantry contact helped the project team secure dates, and the site is now ready for lockers. Some pantry administrators faced a learning curve with inventory management, highlighting the need for more comprehensive training before program launch. Open communication allowed the Food Bank team to address any issues. Overall, there were no major challenges, and the project remains on track.

Measurable Indicators of Project

Metric	Value
Number of individuals that collect food from lockers (including duplicates)	2,804
Number of children	826
Number of seniors	334
Pounds distributed (April - June 2025)	11,186
Percentage of partner agencies reporting improved ability to meet client needs	100%

Project Outlook

With the four original locker banks operational and a fifth on the way, the Food Bank is pleased with the project's progress. A new funding stream from the County’s Employment and Human Services Department for food purchases, starting in September, has given site managers confidence in the program's continued success. The program's success has also led to inquiries about new sites, which the Food Bank is interested in pursuing with adequate financial support. Thanks to the Innovation Fund, the Food Bank can continue serving the community efficiently and with dignity and looks forward to continuing collaboration with the County.

(Fresh food in the lockers) (Long shelf-life food in the lockers)

Program Summary: The Pittsburg Mobile Family Resources (PMFR) promised to bring resource coordination and direct services together with community engagement. Through a network of service providers, the PMFR provided youth and families with coordinated intake, direct services, resource navigation, and strengthened informal support/community engagement. For the project to succeed, the PMFR engaged a strong community champion to lead the project.

The project was interrupted because the Bilingual Case Manager unexpectedly left Lincoln for other employment. Consequently, the County Administrator extended the grant period for this project through February 28, 2025 to enable Lincoln to complete the project.

Project Completion

The project team provided Pittsburg residents and families with coordinated intake, direct services, resource navigation, and enhanced informal support/community engagement. Involving business, nonprofit providers, and site partners dedicated to wellness and committed to Pittsburg was essential to the success of the PMFR. Bringing together a network of providers focused on mental health and wellness to directly support youth and families was critical to the direction of the PMFR project. During the extension period, the project team held a community event, staff professional development for program sustainability, and supported county information dissemination efforts about the project. Additionally, ongoing wellness services and coordination efforts were conducted for resident/community members. The following three-hour sessions were conducted:

• January 2025 - filming video with county representatives to capture the work

• February 2025 - program conclusion, transition, and continued training of ECF5 team

On Saturday, December 21, 2024, staff held a holiday celebration and resource fair at the East County First 5 Center. The event assisted 92 families with essentials like diapers, food, gifts, and service referrals. They also surveyed 31 families to gather community feedback. This helps Lincoln tailor its programs to meet community needs more effectively.

On January 30, 2025, Lincoln Families supported a County-produced Measure X video to highlight the impacts of the Innovation Fund and its grantees.

In February 2025, Lincoln staff supported the grant transition and trained the East County First 5 team. Although a one-year grant brings extensive complexities, Lincoln will continue serving vulnerable East Contra Costa residents without Jewell Bachelor’s leadership. Lincoln values Ms. Bachelor’s expertise and will maintain holistic wellness practices in its East County work as a credit to her contributions.

Measurable Indicators of Project

The measurable indicators are as follows, listed with actual outcomes:

Objective	Outcome
Ninety percent of Community Leadership Council members will indicate that they have established meaningful connections with one another, enhancing their ability to address and meet community needs effectively.	100%
Eighty-five percent of PMFR adult clients will demonstrate enhanced confidence and skills in providing wellness services to families and youth.	100%
Eighty percent of PMFR adult clients will report an improved understanding of local community resources related to basic needs and empowerment in Pittsburg and East Contra Costa County.	100%

Program Summary: The program promised to facilitate addiction treatment in the Hispanic community. It was modeled off BiBett's Pueblo del Sol program, which offers a residential detoxification program to Spanish speakers. The program goals were to increase awareness that recovery services are available in Spanish and to help individuals overcome barriers to getting substance abuse treatment, such as obtaining U.S. identification. The project experienced some early setbacks. Consequently, the County Administrator extended the grant period for this project through June 30, 2025 to enable S4R to complete the project

Project Completion

Support4Recovery aimed to stabilize housing, facilitate recovery, and support participant success. The team held weekly support groups for women to build resilience, foster community, and provide emotional support for those affected by substance abuse. Many clients reported more stable living conditions and improved well-being.

S4R offered peer support groups for men in sober living environments, providing a safe space to share experiences and discuss recovery challenges. Regular attendance showed strong engagement and benefits. Both men and women greatly benefited from peer-led support communities, with documented progress through housing and treatment continuums.

S4R provided detox services for individuals with substance abuse issues, arranging transportation and coordinating with treatment facilities to address health crises and connect clients to recovery resources.

Support was given to secure transitional or sober living housing for clients finishing treatment or facing homelessness. This service offered a stable, safe environment for continued recovery and community integration. Clients frequently transitioned directly from treatment programs into these arrangements, showing an integrated approach to ongoing care. Many clients achieved positive or ongoing outcomes, especially in support groups and housing services.

S4R held Pueblos Workshops, organized by the Pueblos treatment facility, to prepare individuals for treatment, personal growth, and self-sufficiency. They also helped clients obtain crucial legal documents like passports by coordinating with consulates or government offices, essential for those without ID needed for jobs, travel, or social services.

Measurable Indicators of Project

§ 48 bed/housing placements

§ 13 residential treatment placements

§ 2 legal services referrals

§ 22 participants in women’s support groups

§ 22 participants in men’s support groups

§ 11 referrals to detox programs

§ 6 participants received counseling/training

§ 8 participants obtained Consulate papers

§ 10 participants in Pueblos Workshop

§ 6 received other support services such as CA ID and family court support

Key Findings & Trends

§ Of the 146 placements of all types that were tracked, 69% were for males and 31% were for females.

§ Approximately 90% of all placements were completed, 8% remain active, and 2% failed to complete their placements.

§ Bed/housing, residential treatment, and support groups comprised the backbone of services, consistently showing the highest volumes and highest success rates.

§ Integrating legal services and counseling helped clients achieve self-sufficiency.

§ A transitional, supervised drug and alcohol-free environment is important for long-term stabilization and recovery. Clients in sober-living programs have a success/completion rate of over 85%.

§ There was a high rate of ongoing or unsuccessful attempts to obtain Consulate papers. More support and transition strategies are needed in this area.

§ Workshop-based placements (e.g., Pueblos, Family Court) are typically ongoing, reﬂecting the deep engagement needed for long-term change.

Impediments. The limited availability of detox and treatment beds for Hispanics in Contra Costa County is a major challenge. With just eight detox beds and 12 treatment beds, the project team struggles to meet the growing demand for services. Despite efforts to raise awareness and provide support, the bed shortage persists.

Program Summary: The program promised to source used computer devices from environmentally responsible businesses and individuals and refurbish and distribute devices to people who receive public benefits and complete 8 hours of free digital skills training, and to nonprofit organizations that serve disadvantaged groups. Training was to be offered in multiple languages. The program planned to employ STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) interns.

Project Completion

In Q4, Tech Exchange sustained its partnerships and forged new ones. Besides returning to Richmond Public Library, Richmond Multicultural Center, and DeJean Middle School, they started adult digital skills courses at Pittsburg High School, training 46 learners for a quarterly total of 86 adults receiving computer skills and free laptops.

Tech Exchange also distributed free devices to Contra Costa County nonprofits and schools. They provided devices to Richmond Public Library, DeJean Middle School, Ford Elementary School, and Los Medanos College. In Q4, 84 refurbished laptops were given to Contra Costa nonprofits for their clients.

In Q4, Tech Exchange held three digital inclusion events at Richmond Multicultural Institute and Ford Elementary School. Both sites received refurbished devices. Internet enrollment efforts led to 24 sign-ups, with two Contra Costa residents seeking direct support.

The Tech Fair at DeJean Middle School on Dec. 19 was lively. Tech Exchange held a one-hour workshop for parents and guardians on internet safety, recognizing online threats, and creating a secure digital environment. For students, there was a “Refurbathon” where they learned to dismantle and refurbish computers. This taught them electronics and teamwork skills.

To support these efforts, donations from Pittsburg Unified School District and Las Lomas High School provided over 900 devices, bringing the total to 1,559 for the year, helping advance e-waste diversion in Contra Costa County.

Measurable Indicators of Project

Please see attachment, which shows detailed information on Digital Skills Trainings, Device Distributions, Used Computer Equipment Pickups, and Objectives and Accomplishments.

Impediments. During the grant period, Tech Exchange confirmed the need for digital inclusion services in Contra Costa County. The county's large size presented challenges in reaching all areas. The team worked with partner organizations to bring services to their clients.

Tech Exchange expressed gratitude for the $500,000 Innovation Fund grant in 2024, which allowed them to expand services such as digital skills classes and device distribution. This grant benefited over 800 individuals through training and device provision.

Program Summary: The FRH application (app) is a pioneering technology solution that connects food producers’ surplus with available volunteer food-runners. It works like Uber, only for free food distribution. FRH promised to provide real-time food delivery, connecting volunteers with smaller food donors like restaurants, caterers, schools, and cafeterias. The app allows food donors to signal when they have excess food. Available volunteers are then pinged via the app and can claim the run, electing to pick up and deliver the food immediately to a matching recipient organization registered in the program. This ground-breaking technology facilitates the dual goals of feeding hungry people and reducing food waste.

Project Completion

California's Senate Bill (SB) 1383 mandates that restaurants and small food providers divert 20% of edible organics from landfills to food recovery organizations like WPE. This has led to more donations for WPE. The FRH app organizes volunteers for pick-ups and deliveries. California aims to redirect 20% of edible food to people in need by 2025.

To engage new food donors, WPE is using targeted outreach and education on the benefits of food donations. Innovation funding has helped WPE secure more food donors and comply with SB 1383. Data shows a significant increase in food donor partners.

During the fourth quarter and over the course of the project, WPE:

§ Secured a FRH Volunteer Coordinator to manage the schedule and logistics of deliveries and track results.

§ Created and distributed fliers with QR codes for easy access to sign up to donate food.

§ Provided education and training for food providers that explain the benefits of repurposing excess food to feed hungry neighbors.

§ Designed a magnet for restaurant coolers and refrigerators to remind kitchen staff to call WPE for fast, on-demand pick-ups when they have extra food.

§ Created a window sticker that lets patrons know they are part of the movement to end hunger and food waste.

§ Created and circulated fliers to recruit new FRH volunteers to be on-demand food-runners.

§ Educated the community, public officials, and decision makers by raising awareness about food waste, food insecurity, the new law, and how to act.

§ Promoted food donor partners on website and social media.

Thanks to the Measure X Innovation Grant, WPE involved hundreds in the fight against hunger and environmental protection. They use software to track food donations, deliveries, and recovered food weight, as well as trained volunteers and participating food donor and recipient agencies.

Measurable Indicators of Project

WPE data indicates that WPE surpassed all project milestones:

Metric	Achieved	Goal
Food donation suppliers engaged	83	25
Volunteer food runners registered	397	200
Rescues and deliveries made via app	6,388	500
Pounds of recovered food delivered	1,312,918	600,000
Equivalent meals delivered	1,094,098
Estimated metric tons of Co2e eliminated	2,111
Nonprofit agencies partnered with	72

Impediments. There remains a knowledge gap among food producers and restaurants regarding SB 1383 reporting and compliance. The Innovation Fund Grant helped create educational materials to train these providers on repurposing edible food waste to benefit the community.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

N/A. This is an informational report.