WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2005 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the availability of at least $1 million in grants for public and private entities, nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations to improve awareness of USDA's Food Stamp Program for low-income households.

"These grants will help to ensure that the working poor, immigrants and elderly are accessing food stamp benefits," said Johanns. "These grants build upon President Bush's commitment to increase access to federal grants under his Community and Faith-Based Initiative," said Johanns. "Private, nonprofit groups, including faith-based and community organizations, play an important role in helping those in need to learn about and access critical nutrition assistance."

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) plans to award at least $1 million to community and faith-based organizations or public agencies, other than food stamp state and local agencies, to conduct outreach to potential food stamp participants. Grantees will implement community-based outreach strategies that educate people about the nutrition benefits of food stamps and how to apply. USDA encourages community and faith-based organizations to participate in this competition.

The solicitation includes checklists, templates, tools and lists of resources to assist potential applicants complete their proposals. The Food Stamp Program, administered by FNS, is the cornerstone of federal nutrition assistance programs and provides crucial support to working poor and needy households. The program serves more than 25 million people per month, and currently reaches about 56 percent of those who are eligible to receive benefits. Food stamp benefits provide a boost to local economies since every dollar in new food stamp benefits generates nearly twice that in community spending.

On Jan. 29, 2001, the president created the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives along with similar offices within federal agencies that work together to ensure faith and community-based organizations have the opportunity to assist America's neediest families and individuals.

The solicitation can be found online at http://www.grants.gov or on the FNS website at www.fns.usda.gov/grants. # USDA News oc.news@usda.gov 202 720-4623