View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed][UNIQID] Follow USDA NHC on Instagram ([link removed][UNIQID])
[link removed][UNIQID] Follow USDA NHC on Facebook ([link removed][UNIQID])
[link removed][UNIQID] Follow USDA NHC on Twitter ([link removed][UNIQID])
[link removed][UNIQID] Visit USDA NHC Online ([link removed][UNIQID])
DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION OFFER EMERGENCY FOOD AID IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19? CLICK HERE ([link removed][UNIQID])


** USDA NATIONAL HUNGER CLEARINGHOUSE
NEWSLETTER
------------------------------------------------------------
THE USDA NATIONAL HUNGER CLEARINGHOUSE IS OPERATED BY HUNGER FREE AMERICA
August 2020


** Federal Meals for Kids During the Pandemic
------------------------------------------------------------
With many regions of the country still facing large numbers of Covid-19 cases, USDA has extended a number of waivers that make it easier for more children to participate in federally-funded meals while schools are not in session or closed due to Covid-19. These waivers include the provision to serve meals in non-congregate settings and at school sites while schools are closed. Additionally, USDA is allowing states to hold "open site" meal service in a greater amount of areas to reach more children during the pandemic.

Two ways in which schools are allowed to operate meal services while closed:

1. Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Meal Delivery Using Existing Authority:
With state approval, and if the School Food Authority (SFA) determines a logistical and feasible way to deliver meals to homes, then meal delivery is an option as long as they adhere to federal confidentiality requirements. This can be done via mail or delivery service or hand delivered by community organizations (COs), school staff, volunteers, or others. Sites will not receive additional reimbursement for home/mobile meal deliveries, however, related expenses such as postage or delivery services will be considered. Additional expenses could also be paid with non-program funds (e.g., state/local funds, private donations). Children receiving meal delivery can get up to two meals (or one meal and one snack) per day, same as under the SFSP or SSO. The meals served do not need to be shelf stable, but must meet all the meal pattern requirements of the SFSP or SSO. Learn more here ([link removed][UNIQID]) !

2. Meals Offered during Distance Learning:
For schools where virtual learning is provided but the building is closed and students cannot attend their classes at school, the USDA has permitted SFAs and COs to continue operating SFSP and SSO. Learn more here ([link removed][UNIQID]) !

For SFA that wish to continue offering NSLP and SBP during building closures, the SFA can request a waiver that allows for meals to be served outside normal meal pattern requirements in order to keep kids fed, giving the option to do grab-and-go meals), and allowing parents/guardians to pick up meals for the students participating in distance learning. Learn more here ([link removed][UNIQID]) !

If your schools are in session this fall, families can apply to receive free or reduced-price meals by contacting their school district. However, families who receive SNAP or TANF benefits automatically qualify for NSLP and SBP, but some schools may still require an application. Even if you do not receive SNAP or TANF benefits, your children may still be eligible! Visit the USDA's website ([link removed][UNIQID]) to view income eligibility requirements. Additionally, many schools participate in the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows school districts to serve universally free meals for all students. Click here ([link removed][UNIQID]) to search if your school participates in the Community Eligibility Provision.

If you are unsure what your state or school district is doing to serve school meals during the pandemic, contact your state agency here ([link removed][UNIQID]) or call the Hunger Hotline at 866-348-6479 (English) or 877-842-6273 (Spanish).


** PANDEMIC EBT (P-EBT): WHAT IS IT?
------------------------------------------------------------
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 included Coronavirus Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) to allow temporary emergency benefits. P-EBT is for families with children who participated in the free or reduced meal programs in schools. These benefits help families buy food when school is closed.

The following states are still accepting applications: Tennessee ([link removed][UNIQID]) (Aug 14th), Texas ([link removed][UNIQID]) (Aug. 21st), New Hampshire ([link removed][UNIQID]#/) (deadline is Aug. 24th) and Washington ([link removed][UNIQID]) (Aug. 31st). Some states do not require an application and automatically enroll families that were participating in reduced/free meal programs in schools to receive P-EBT.

You can call the Hunger Hotline and our representatives can help you locate the P-EBT application or answer any questions about the program. Learn more about P-EBT here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
[link removed][UNIQID]
Help us grow our resource list ([link removed][UNIQID])


** COMING SOON: USDA NATIONAL HUNGER CLEARINGHOUSE DATABASE
------------------------------------------------------------

Hunger Free America is in the process of building a comprehensive national resource database that will be available to the public, free of charge. The database will include a list of private and public sites which provide subsidized food that is, by far, the most accurate in the country by utilizing a combination of data sharing partnerships, crowd-sourcing, and in-house validation to keep data fresh and accurate. Utilizing technology will make it easier for anyone to give help or get help to fight hunger. Nationwide, there are more than 40,000 food pantries and soup kitchens, thousands of government food assistance application sites, and 8,600 farmers markets, but there is no existing nationwide database of these entities that is comprehensive and up-to-date.

Our top goals for this database are:
* To efficiently connect hungry Americans and service providers to food resources and the pertinent details needed to effectively access those resources (such as hours of operation and eligibility requirements)
* To make federal nutrition assistance programs more accessible to the tens of millions of hungry Americans who are eligible for these programs, but fail to receive the aid they need. HFA has conducted extensive research on this topic and has identified technology as an effective way to increase access to and awareness of these programs.

The programs we’re looking to include are:
* Food Pantries
* Soup Kitchens
* Local WIC Clinics and SNAP Agencies
* SNAP Eligibility and Application Assistance Partners (non-government entities that assist with eligibility screenings and application assistance)
* WIC Eligibility and Application Assistance Partners (non-government entities that assist with eligibility and application assistance)
* Farmers’ Markets that accept benefits
* Senior Feeding Programs
* CSFP Distribution Sites
* TEFAP Distribution Sites

Benefits of participating include:
* Helping people in your community and across the country access resources by providing accurate information that will be accessible by phone (USDA Hunger Hotline), text (97779), online (USDA Database), or via an app (GotFood?).
* Direct access to data for resources all over the country through the database and above-mentioned portals.
* Access to data and updates in real-time through an API, where available, or through a log-in portal specifically designed for agencies to access, pull, and use data as needed, as well as to make updates directly to the database.
* Assistance in volunteer recruitment if desired.

If you have any questions or would like to further discuss ways in which we can build a mutually beneficial partnership, please contact our Data Director, Angelica Gibson, at [email protected]. With your help, we can reach the 37.2 million Americans in need of food and connect those who wish to contribute to the fight against hunger with the information and resources they need to do so.


** BEST PRACTICES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY
------------------------------------------------------------

Each month, Hunger Free America highlights anti-hunger best practices across the country. This month we will highlight the importance of SNAP and organizations that support SNAP outreach efforts.

The Supplemental Food Nutrition Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, was initially created to strengthen the agricultural economy and improve levels of nutrition among low-income households. The first food stamp program ran from 1939-1943 and was later made permanent in 1964 Food Stamp Act. SNAP has since expanded and is now the largest nutrition program administered by the USDA FNS. Although it is a federal program, each state determines eligibility requirements. As of April 2020, 51 states (including Washington D.C.) have printable applications and online policy manuals available on their respective state's SNAP website. All states (including D.C.) except Wyoming have an option to apply for SNAP online as well.

Many local and national organizations across the country assist their clients with their SNAP application. For example, Hunger Free Colorado has a SNAP Outreach Initiative that provides on-site application and case intervention assistance, statewide food resource hotline, and assistance for the county Department of Human Services. Similarly, Feeding Texas trains member food banks to regularly utilize Your Texas Benefits online portal to assist applicants enrolling in SNAP.

(photo from GrowNYC's website ([link removed][UNIQID]) )

Another great SNAP outreach initiative is GrowNYC. GrowNYC is a non-profit organization located in New York City that aims to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers through their environmental programs. The organization and has a number of programs, including the Greenmarkets, which is a network of farmers markets across the city. At the Greenmarkets, SNAP recipients can use their benefits, and the process is simple—SNAP recipients locate the GrowNYC tent where they will swipe the EBT card to purchase as many $1 or $5 wooden tokens (which act like cash) that can be used to purchase food at the market. This initiative not only connects SNAP recipients with a wider range of fresh, nutritious food, but it also supports local farmers. Furthermore, SNAP recipients get an additional $2 in Health Bucks (can only be used to buy fruits and vegetables) for every $5 they spend with SNAP. GrowNYC also accepts Fresh Connect Coupons, FMNP Checks, and most recently, P-EBT benefits at the
Greenmarkets! Visit their website ([link removed][UNIQID]) to learn more about their food access initiative and to find a Greenmarket near you!

If you would like to nominate an organization for best practice, email [email protected].

WHAT IS THE USDA NATIONAL HUNGER CLEARINGHOUSE?
The USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse - currently operated by Hunger Free America - was created to aide low-income individuals and communities. The clearinghouse can be accessed via the hunger hotline, which is free to call. Hotline representatives connect callers to a variety of resources for individuals seeking food assistance, such as: food pantries, soup kitchens, SNAP, summer meals, and more.

WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE HOTLINE?
Monday thru Friday 7 am - 10 pm Eastern Standard Time. Please be advised assistance is available in English or Spanish.

CAN I APPLY FOR OR RE-CERTIFY FOR SNAP BY CALLING THE HOTLINE?
Please be advised we do not have access to individual SNAP account information, we do have the ability to connect callers with their state hotline where they can request specific account information and obtain further instruction on ways to apply for SNAP.

To locate your SNAP State Hotline number text "SNAP" to 977-79
To locate your EBT Customer Service number text "EBT" to 977-79

IF YOU ARE AN EMERGENCY FOOD PROVIDER AND WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE DATABASE, CLICK HERE ([link removed][UNIQID])

Anyone can call the hotline for free and speak to a representative in English or in Spanish. To reach an English-speaking representative, call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479). To reach a Spanish-speaking representative, call 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273). The hotline is available Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.
ANTI HUNGER GRANTS
Hunger Is, an anti-hunger program funded by the Albertsons Companies Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, has awarded over 4.6 million dollars in grants within the past year to assist organizations seeking to join them in ending childhood hunger. Hunger Free America is proud to be a partner in their initiative to secure free school breakfast meals for all school-aged students. Their work has been instrumental in diminishing hunger nationwide. The grant is available for organizations in the following states: California, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. For information on how to be a part of this upcoming year's round of funding, click here ([link removed][UNIQID]&mc_cid=eee49542a6&mc_eid=[UNIQID]) .
The W. K. Kellogg Foundation accepts healthy kids and community/civic engagement grant applications throughout the year with no submission deadline. To apply online, click here ([link removed][UNIQID]&mc_cid=eee49542a6&mc_eid=[UNIQID]) .

The Walmart Foundation issues a variety of grants to organizations seeking additional funding, through its giving program. Grant applications for national-level organizations are available year-round, and applications for community impact grants can be submitted until December 31st. For more information on how to apply, click here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
Copyright © 2018 Hunger Free America, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
50 Broad Street Suite 1103
New York, NY 10004

Want to change how you receive these emails?
unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])

============================================================