Food Assistance
The Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (Act), as amended, authorizes distribution of surplus food to needy persons through eligible recipient agencies (ERA) under The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). TEFAP is administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The overall program goal is to help supplement the diets of low-income Americans by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost.
The State of Hawaii (State) has designated the Office of Community Services (OCS) as the State Distributing Agency to distribute TEFAP commodities. OCS provides the food commodities to designated ERAs such as food banks and community action agencies. The designated ERAs are as follows:
Hawaii Food Bank
2611-A Kilihau Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819-2021
Telephone: 836-3600
Fax: 836-2272
Kauai Food Bank
3285 Waapa Road
Lihue, Hawaii 96766
Telephone: 246-3809
Fax: 246-4737
Maui Community Food Bank
760 Kolu Street
Wailuku, Hawaii 96796
Telephone: 243-9500
Fax: 243-9595
Hawaii Island Food Bank
140-B Holomua Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Telephone: 935-3050
Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc.
33 South King Street Suite 300
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Telephone: 521-4531
Fax: 521-4538
Kauai Economic Opportunity, Inc.
2804 Wehe Road
Lihue, Hawaii 96766
Telephone: 245-4077
Fax: 245-7476
Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.
P. O. Box 2122
Kahului, Hawaii 96733
(99 Mahalani Street, Wailuku)
Telephone: 249-2990
Fax: 249-2991
Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council
47 Rainbow Drive, Hilo
Hawaii 96720
Telephone: 961-2681
Fax: 935-9213
The food banks distribute the commodities to eligible recipient agencies, while the community action agencies distribute commodities to households who meet the eligibility criteria set forth by the State. Households receiving TEFAP commodities must have a total gross income no greater than one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The frequency of distribution is established by the State in agreement with the ERAs based on needs and available resources.
Anyone interested in participating in the program can contact the designated ERA on their island for information regarding application information and distribution dates. |
