Eligibility
Funding for the food pantry comes from several sources, each of which has its own eligibility requirements.
For assistance from the following sources, participants should be under 200% of the Poverty Income Guidelines:
- Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
| Family Size | Monthly Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,608.33 |
| 2 | $3,525.00 |
| 3 | $4,441.67 |
| 4 | $5,358.33 |
| 5 | $6,275.00 |
| 6 | $7,191.67 |
| 7 | $8,108.33 |
| 8 | $9,025.00 |
| Each additional member | + $916.67 |
For assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), participants should meet the following guidelines:
| Family Size | Monthly Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,736.25 |
| 2 | $3,578.17 |
| 3 | $4,420.08 |
| 4 | $5,262.08 |
| 5 | $6,104.00 |
| 6 | $6,945.92 |
| 7 | $7,103.75 |
| 8 | $6,768.75 |
| 9 | $7,456.25 |
| 10 | $8,143.75 |
| Each additional member | + $687.50 |
Commitment to confidentiality
Clients access our programs in good faith, expecting that their circumstances and personal matters will remain confidential. We are obligated by law and by our professional ethics to commit to confidentiality in all our efforts.
The following rules govern the matter of confidentiality:
- Information and details about a client’s case may be discussed for assessment purposes only. If there is a question about how to provide appropriate service, the case may be discussed with the Eligible Recipient Agency (ERA) in charge of USDA commodity distribution in the area.
- No identifying information about a client (name, address, Social Security number, etc.) shall be revealed. Files and forms that contain client information shall be stored in a secured file cabinet or locked room that denies access by unauthorized personnel.
- Discussing the details of a case is a breach of confidentiality, even if names, addresses, and/or other identifying information is not revealed. Such disclosures may reveal enough detail that a client could be identified.
- Should a client’s situation become public knowledge through the media or should any details regarding a client be made public, the organization’s responsibility to confidentiality remains unchanged. Therefore, no information regarding the client shall be revealed without the client’s written permission.
- No information regarding a client or that client’s situation shall be revealed to other social service agencies when seeking services on the client’s behalf, unless the client has given written permission. Written permission forms and the appropriate process to follow in such cases will be outlined by the TEFAP supervisor at the ERA.
Non-discrimination statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- Email: [email protected].
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.