Food Assistance (LBR 903-07)
Due to the growing number of people unable to provide sufficient food
for themselves, a statewide need exists to increase efforts to collect,
store and distribute food to hungry individuals and families.
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:
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.
These programs procure services to increase the collection, storage and distribution of food and grocery items to charities and other organizations providing these commodities to the hungry.
Click here for more information on our funded agencies for food assistance.
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