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
 

	Monterey County Office of Social & Employment Services, Salinas, California
	Lake County Family Community Resource Center, Park City, Illinois

Honorable Mentors
 
 

	Department of Economic Security, Family Assistance Administration Site 134C, Phoenix, Arizona
	Cross County Department of Human Services, Wynne, Arkansas
	Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, New Market Square Office
	Kalamazoo County DHS, Kalamazoo, Michigan
	Buncombe County, Asheville, North Carolina
	Department of Public Welfare, Delancey District, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
	Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Castroville Road Office Regional 8, San Antonio, Texas
	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