Program Overview
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) of Arizona is a federally funded program that has been set up for low-income households. It has been established by the state of Arizona and is known as The Emergency Food Assistance Program. It is more commonly known as TEFAP. TEFAP aims to help supplement the diets of people, especially elderly people. This proves possible with the help of emergency food and nutrition assistance that is provided at no cost. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, also known as USDA makes use of TEFAP. Under its umbrella, it makes commodity foods available to state distributing agencies. These agencies have been set up statewide to make it easier to provide for people. It is their responsibility to manage and distribute the food they receive from USDA. The amount received by these agencies can vary. This is due to the different numbers of unemployed and low-income individuals in a state.
Food assistance is provided through the collaboration of federal, state, and local organizations. This collaboration is carried out by the DES Coordinated Hunger Relief Program. This assistance is aimed at helping the hungry. Therefore, it contracts with various hunger relief organizations to maximize resources. Thus, the largest number of people are helped through any means possible.
The services that are provided under The Emergency Food Assistance Program in Arizona are as stated below:
- Emergency Box: Emergency food that is supplied for three to five days to needy individuals or families.
- Soup Kitchen – also known as Dining Room: These are the prepared meals individuals are provided with on locations.
- Mobile Pantry: Community locations are set up where food boxes are delivered.
- Home Meals: These are for the disabled and elderly. To make sure their needs are catered to, meals are prepared and delivered to those who are homebound.
- TEFAP Box: To ensure the availability of emergency food for three to five days, these boxes are distributed. They include the supply of USDA for individuals and families that can be labeled as needy.
- Snack/Meal Program: Needy children are a part of this program therefore they are provided with meals as well as after-school snacks.
Eligibility Criteria
The requirements put forward by this program help to ensure that the needy people are helped first and foremost. Therefore, to differentiate between the applicants, the gross income of households is considered. It is important for this income to not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level.
In case the applicants are already receiving Nutrition Assistance benefits, they are automatically eligible. This means they can easily gain access to emergency food assistance without jumping through any extra hoops.
Congregate Meal Sites have been set up by the state of Arizona. These sites are also referred to as Soup Kitchens. They are operational during normal service hours. In case an individual visits this site during these hours, they can receive a prepared meal.
How to Apply
To become a candidate for this program, you do not have to complete a formal application. This eliminates the aspect of the interview as well. Instead, interested individuals have to simply visit the Congregate Meal Site. If they wish to be a consistent part of the TEFAP, they must bring the following items and sign in:
- Photo Identification
- Proof of Address. For this purpose, an individual can use documentation like a utility bill or letter from DES. Any documents verifying the current residential address can also be used. In the case of homelessness, it is expected for you to identify the cross streets or locations where you spend your nights.
- A signed form of self-declaration. This document would include aspects that confirm that the individual meets the current income guidelines. It also states that the person will not sell or exchange the food they receive through this program. Moreover, it will also mention that the individual lives in the service area of the Food Pantry.
For Further Information
To get further information about the program you can visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service web page. Or visit The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) page for the state of Arizona. You can visit this link to find a TEFAP site near you or call the office of Nutrition Assistance at: (855) 432-7587
