TEFAP Qualifying Many More Montanans Under New Guidelines

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal food distribution program that supports food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and other emergency feeding organizations serving low-income Americans. Federal assistance takes the form of federally purchased commodities-including fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains-and funding for administrative costs. Food aid and funds are distributed to states using a statutory formula that takes into account poverty and unemployment rates. TEFAP is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

New guidelines as established under TEFAP now require distributing recipients to use the 200% of poverty guidelines for eligibility - which qualifies more Montanans for assistance than ever before.

"You almost can't be denied," said Vicky Rabenstein, who helps run Sincerely Paul Feeding His Sheep Ministries in Whitehall. These are temporary waivers and flexibilities within TEFAP for the state of Montana during COVID-19.

The next food distribution from Sincerely Paul will be held Thursday, March 31, 2022, at the Whitehall Assembly of God Church at 1:30 PM. Applications for support are available at The Whitehall Ledger office at 15 West Legion and online at dphhs.mt.gov/hcsd/SNAP. Customer applications must be updated annually and can be updated or submitted at the distribution site on the day of distribution.

Income-based eligibility criteria cannot be waived and self-declaration of income is permitted. While Sincerely Paul distributes from the Whitehall Assembly of God Church, no religious proselytizing is allowed by the State at distribution.

Commodities currently distributed include 1lb. salted butter, ground beef, chicken, pork chops, shredded cheese, fish fillets, instant milk, canned vegetables and fruit, juices, and more.

TEFAP was established as the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program by the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983. The Emergency Food Assistance Act continues to govern program operations, while the Food and Nutrition Act authorizes funding for TEFAP's entitlement commodities.