Release No. 0043.08
Contact: Jack Currie 703-305-2281
Printable version
USDA Seeks To Award $5 Million in
Food Stamp Program Participation Grants
WASHINGTON, February 14, 2008-Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today
announced that USDA will offer $5 million in grants to improve participation in
food stamps for those who are eligible, but for a variety of reasons do not
receive the help intended for them.
"Nationally, about 65 percent of all those who are eligible for food stamp
benefits are currently participating in the program," said Schafer. "Yet fewer
than 31 percent of the elderly and 50 percent of Hispanic families who are
eligible for food stamps are actually participating."
The deadline to submit grant applications is May 15, 2008. This year's grants
are subject to availability of funds.
This year, USDA plans to fund a partnership between a state agency and
private non-profit faith-based or community organizations to help working poor
and needy households better understand food stamp benefits.
Grant applications for organizations can be obtained at www.grants.gov or on
the Food and Nutrition Service website at
www.fns.usda.gov/fsp or by calling the grant officer, Lisa Johnson, at 703-305-2848.
The Food Stamp Program, administered by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, is
the cornerstone of federal nutrition assistance programs, serving more than 26
million people each month.
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Last modified:
12/05/2008
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