PENNSYLVANIA — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding has announced a call for applications from qualified food banks, pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens across Pennsylvania. These organizations are invited to apply for a share of $2.5 million in available funding through the second round of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Reach and Resiliency Grants.
The announcement follows the successful initial round in September, where the Shapiro Administration awarded over $1.6 million to 39 similar establishments across the state.
“No one should go hungry in a state with the wealth and bounty we have in Pennsylvania,” stated Secretary Redding. “Expanding the capacity of local organizations to supply fresh, healthy food to families in need is just one part of a broad Shapiro Administration strategy to work toward a healthier, more food-secure Pennsylvania.”
TEFAP Reach and Resiliency Grants are specifically designed for organizations distributing USDA Foods through TEFAP contracts with the state, county, or a county-designated Lead Agency. The grants will fund projects including expanded cold storage, warehouse space and equipment, delivery vehicles for food distribution, and other investments that expand TEFAP’s reach into isolated or underserved rural or low-income communities.
The full grant guidelines were published in the October 14 edition of the PA Bulletin. Applications must be submitted online through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Single Electronic Application by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023.
Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap reveals a concerning statistic that in 2022, over 1.1 million Pennsylvanians, accounting for 8.9% of the state’s population, and 13% of children, may face food insecurity.
The Governor’s 2023-24 budget outlines further initiatives to combat this issue. It includes $46.5 million in funding to provide free breakfast to all of Pennsylvania’s 1.7 million public school students and free lunch to all 22,000 students eligible for reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Program. An additional $2 million is allocated to fund the Fresh Food Financing Initiative to improve access to PA-grown, processed, and produced foods. A further $2 million increase will be made to the State Food Purchase Program to provide emergency food assistance for low-income Pennsylvanians.
For more information on food insecurity and resources available in your area, visit agriculture.pa.gov/foodsecurity.
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