I want to explain how government food comes to Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative through Second Harvest Food Bank. The following quoted information comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s The Emergency Food Assistance Program outlet manual, which WCHI received from Second Harvest.

“TEFAP helps supplement the diets of low-income families providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. TEFAP also supports American agriculture by distributing high-quality, 100% American-grown food purchased and distributed by USDA. The program is administered at the federal level by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. State agencies receive the commodities and administrative funding and provide the overall management of the program within their state.

“The amount received by each state depends on the low-income and unemployed population. States provide food to the local agencies, which then distribute the commodities to emergency food providers who directly serve eligible recipients. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has been designated the state agency responsible for program administration.”

Weekly, Second Harvest posts the available food items a member pantry can order. The items are in categories and specified as USDA, state, Lehigh County or donated (these are mainly from local grocery stores). Bill Meltzer and Jenn Dietz do our weekly online ordering for what is available and what fits our pantry needs.

The new TEFAP fiscal year starts July 1. WCHI has received the new TEFAP declaration of need forms from Second Harvest, which give income limits based on the household size. The limits are 185% of the poverty level. For example, for a household of one, the weekly gross income cannot be higher than $557; a household of four, $1,144; and a household of six, $1,536. There are income limits for each household size.

The guest signs the TEFAP form verifying their income. Proof of income paperwork is not required.

Our guests will need to bring two forms of identification with them to be registered and to obtain food. These include a valid, non-expired driver’s license; a non-driver photo picture ID; or a passport with their name and address on it.

If our guest has moved and their picture ID card was not updated with their new address, they will need a picture ID and a change of address update card showing where they live. Our guests must be a Whitehall-Coplay School District resident. A cellphone picture of their valid acceptable photo ID will be accepted.

Also, required is proof of residency in Whitehall Township or Coplay Borough. Our guest needs to show proof they live at the address provided on their valid picture ID. Acceptable items with their name and address on them include a utility bill, lease, car insurance card, etc.

WCHI has been telling our guests to bring the specified forms of ID monthly since April. Our guests should know the procedure at this point. Also, written information has been provided to our guests during June’s food distribution. If our guest does not have both required items, they will not be registered and will not be given any food until they can show both items during our regular distribution hours.