Release No. 0344.07
Contact: Jean Daniel (703) 305-2281
Printable
version
USDA Announces $1 Million in Food Stamp Outreach Grants
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2007 - Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer
Services Nancy Johner today announced the availability of at least $1 million in
grants for public and private nonprofit community and faith-based organizations
to improve awareness of USDA's Food Stamp Program for low-income households.
Specifically, these grants will target the two most significantly underserved
populations in the Food Stamp Program, seniors and Hispanics.
"Those in need also need to know if they qualify for food stamps, how the
nutritional guidance can help their well-being," said Johner. "Public and
private, faith-based and community groups all serve an important role in the
President's commitment to educate those in need about USDA's food and nutrition
assistance programs."
The Food Stamp Program, administered by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS), is the cornerstone of federal nutrition assistance programs and provides
crucial support to needy households. The program serves more than 26 million
people each month, and currently reaches about 65 percent of those who are
eligible for benefits.
Seniors represent 9 percent of total participants and Hispanics represent 19
percent of total participants in the program. In addition to directly helping
individuals and families, food stamp benefits provide a boost to local economies
since every dollar in new food stamp benefits generates nearly twice that in
community spending.
The overall purpose of food stamp outreach is to inform and educate
potentially eligible low-income persons about the nutrition benefits of the
program, the eligibility rules and how to apply.
State and local food stamp offices and for-profit organizations are not
eligible for these grants. Applicants will be eligible to receive up to $75,000
per grant. The grant period will range from 1 to 2 years, depending on the
project.
USDA encourages community and faith-based organizations to participate in
this competition for grants. Checklists, templates, tools and lists of resources
to assist potential applicants complete their proposals can be found online at
http://www.grants.gov or on the FNS website at
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/outreach/grants/2008/default.htm.
Applications are due February 19, 2008.
Last modified:
09/25/2008
|