Release No. FNS 0005
Contact: Regan Hopper (703) 305-2281
USDA Announces 2008 Hunger Champion Mentor Awardees
WASHINGTON, October 28, 2008 — Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition,
and Consumer Services Nancy Montanez Johner today announced the ten recipients
of the 2008 Food Stamp Hunger Champions Awards. The awardees have shown
exemplary service conducting outreach activities and assisting eligible clients
to obtain nutrition benefits in the Food Stamp Program, now known as the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“It is an honor to recognize local offices that go the extra mile to ensure
people in need have access to nutrition information and benefits,” said Johner.
“Putting healthy food within reach for low-income Americans is a top priority at
USDA. We commend these local offices for implementing innovative strategies and
creating partnerships to increase participation in this critical nutrition
assistance program.”
The 2008 Food Stamp Hunger Champions Award recipients are:
Mentors
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Monterey County Office of
Social & Employment Services, Salinas, California |
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Lake County Family Community
Resource Center, Park City, Illinois |
Honorable Mentors
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Department of
Economic Security, Family Assistance Administration Site 134C,
Phoenix, Arizona |
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Cross County
Department of Human Services, Wynne, Arkansas |
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Massachusetts
Department of Transitional Assistance, New Market Square Office |
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Kalamazoo County
DHS, Kalamazoo, Michigan |
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Buncombe County,
Asheville, North Carolina |
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Department of
Public Welfare, Delancey District, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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Texas Health and
Human Services Commission, Castroville Road Office Regional 8, San
Antonio, Texas |
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James City County
Office, Virginia Department of Social Services, Williamsburg,
Virginia |
USDA selected the Hunger Champions from 81 nominations by State and local
offices and advocacy organizations serving communities across the country. The
nomination review committee was comprised of representatives from Feeding
America, American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), National
Eligibility Workers Association (NEW), World Hunger Year (WHY), Food Research
and Action Center (FRAC), and USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
The Hunger Champions are invited to the APHSA conference to share their
successful outreach strategies with other States and FNS. FNS will present all
awardees an etched glass award, a plaque or certificate of accomplishment
depending on their level of recognition.
As of October 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new
name for the Food Stamp Program. SNAP reflects a modern nutrition assistance
program that delivers benefits electronically, reducing the stigma of
participation and achieving payment accuracy that assures the highest level of
program integrity. Through nutrition education partners, SNAP helps clients
learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices. SNAP serves over 28
million people each month putting healthy food within reach for low-income
Americans nationwide. For more information on SNAP, please visit the FNS
website at
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/.
Last modified:
12/05/2008
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