I want to explain how government food comes to Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative through Second Harvest Food Bank. The following information comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s The Emergency Food Assistance Program outlet manual that 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 manual stated. “The program is administered at the federal level by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. State agencies receive the commodities, 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 manual added. “The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has been designated the state agency responsible for program administration.”

Second Harvest posts weekly the available food items a member pantry can order. The items are in categories and specified: USDA, state, Lehigh County or donated (this is mainly from local grocery stores).

Bill Meltzer and Jenn Dietz do our weekly online ordering for what is available and 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, its weekly gross income cannot be higher than $568; a household of four, $1,175; and a household of six, $1,579. 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 need to bring two forms of ID with them to be registered and to obtain food. These include a valid driver’s license, a nondriver 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 Whitehall-Coplay School District residents. A cellphone picture of their valid acceptable photo ID will be accepted.

Also required is proof of residency in Whitehall-Coplay School District. Our guests need 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 two forms of ID monthly since April. 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.