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Release No. 0004.08 Contact: Jean Daniel (703) 305-2281
USDA AWARDS FOOD STAMP PROGRAM OUTREACH GRANTS
WASHINGTON, DC, September 16, 2008 ─ The U.S. Department of
Agriculture today awarded nearly $1 million to 14 faith-based and community
organizations to improve access to and awareness of USDA's Food Stamp Program.
“The Administration is committed to ensuring that people who are
eligible for food stamps can access benefits with dignity and respect,” said
Under Secretary for Food Nutrition and Consumer Services Nancy Montanez. Johner.
“Faith and community-based organizations are uniquely positioned to help us
reach those in need with information about critical nutrition assistance
benefits.”
USDA awards outreach grants at the local level to raise
awareness of the nutrition benefits of the Food Stamp Program and test
strategies to reach eligible individuals and families. Many grantees work with
partners to customize the outreach programs to the needs of their community.
Outreach strategies include information dissemination, pre-screening,
application assistance, community education, and train-the-trainer programs. The
maximum award for each grant is $75,000.
“Food stamp benefits provide critical nutrition assistance to
low income seniors, families, and children,” said Johner. “Public, private,
non-profit, and faith and community-based organizations play an important role
in ensuring that all eligible people know about USDA’s nutrition assistance
programs.”
Grant opportunities were available to public entities and
private, non-profit organizations, including faith and community-based
organizations to assist in improving awareness and access among eligible
low-income people, especially the working poor, seniors and legal immigrants,
who are not currently participating in the Food Stamp Program.
Nationally, approximately 67 percent of those who are eligible
to participate in the Food Stamp Program receive Program benefits. The
participation rate for eligible Hispanics is considerably lower at 56 percent
and even lower among eligible elderly Hispanics at 34 percent.
In addition to directly helping individuals and families, food stamp benefits
provide a boost to local economies because every $5 in new food stamp benefits
generates $9.20 in total community spending.
The 14 fiscal year 2008 outreach grantees are as follows:
|
APPLICANT |
CITY
|
STATE |
| |
|
|
| Archdiocese of Philadelphia |
Philadelphia |
PA |
| Catholic Charities |
Portland |
OR |
| Catholic Charities Archdiocese of
New Orleans |
New Orleans |
LA |
| Community Action Committee of Cape
Cod and Islands, Inc. |
Hyannis |
MA |
| Community Services & Employment
Training, Inc. (CSET) |
Visalia |
CA |
| Desert Mission, Inc. |
Phoenix |
AZ |
| Genesee County Community Action
Resource Department |
Flint |
MI |
| Highland County Community Action
Organization, Inc. |
Hillsboro |
OH |
| Hispanic Unity of Florida, Inc. |
Hollywood |
FL |
| Lake County Board of County
Commissioners |
Tavares |
FL |
| Laredo-Webb County Food Bank, Inc. |
Laredo |
TX |
| Latin American Research and
Service Agency (LARASA) |
Denver |
CO |
| New York City Department for the
Aging |
New York |
NY |
| The Catholic Charities of the
Diocese of Arlington, Inc. |
Arlington |
VA |
The Food Stamp Program is the cornerstone of the Nation’s
nutrition safety net and is the largest of the USDA’s 15 domestic nutrition
assistance programs. The Program provides crucial support to low income
households to buy the food they need for good health, and helps many make the
transition to self-sufficiency.
Last modified:
12/05/2008
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