Outreach in Action
TEFAP vs. First-Friday CSFP (for seniors) food distributions explained
by Michelle Lantz
The February “Outreach in Action” column contained erroneous information with regard to the differences between TEFAP and the First-Friday CSFP food distribution for eligible senior citizens (at Stockbridge Community Outreach). Michelle Lantz, CEO of the Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) has provided clarifying information for those who participate in either program or who want to learn more.
- Does GLFB have anything to do with TEFAP distributions?
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of income eligible individuals and households by providing them with USDA foods at no cost to them. USDA makes these foods available to state distributing—in Michigan, this is the Michigan Department of Education (MDE)—which in turn provides food to local nonprofit agencies, like Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB), that distribute the food to the public.
About 25 percent of the food GLFB received in 2024 came from the USDA through various programs, such as TEFAP. GLFB then distributes the food to our network of 140+ partner agencies including food pantries, community meal sites, mobile distribution sites and community centers like Stockbridge Community Outreach.
- What would you like people to know about the program that takes place on the first Friday each month in Stockbridge?
The distribution every first Friday from 1 – 2 p.m. at Stockbridge Community Outreach is for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), another federal program that specifically aims to improve the health of seniors over 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with a monthly box of USDA food commodities. People must pre-qualify for this program, so seniors who are not enrolled should not try to come to this distribution. Currently, registration is closed due to a federal limit on the number of participants we can enroll.
Details on current income guidelines and FAQ about CSFP in GLFB’s service area can be found at GLFoodBank.org/SeniorPrograms.
- How has the new MDE-approved eligibility to 300% of federal poverty level changed things in CFSP?
This new income eligibility criteria does NOT apply to CSFP.
- Do you know how those in our area can get food through the TEFAP program?
Neighbors can receive TEFAP foods at many sites in GLFB’s service area of Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Isabella, Gratiot and Shiawassee Counties by visiting a food pantry or mobile distribution site affiliated with GLFB. To find your nearest food pantry or mobile food distribution, visit GLFoodBank.org/PantriesMobiles.
- What concerns, if any, do you have regarding the ability of GLFB to procure food to help supply local food pantries like Stockbridge Community Outreach?
GLFB is not currently experiencing any supply chain disruptions and all federal funding currently allocated for food assistance remains in place. We continue to monitor ongoing communications from the federal level for information on future funding and programmatic changes. The best way to stay up to date is to follow GLFB on social media or subscribe to our weekly food resource newsletter at GLFoodBank.org/EmailUpdates.
A strong social safety net is a critical component in the fight against hunger for our communities. GLFB is committed to advancing our mission of ensuring no mid-Michigan neighbor goes hungry, no matter how federal support may change.
Remember that 43 percent—nearly half!—of the food GLFB receives comes via donations from retail partners, community organizations and neighbors like you. We all have a role to play in the fight against hunger, and small actions taken together add up to tremendous impact for our neighbors in need.
- Anything else you’d like our readers to know?
GLFB is proud to lead mid-Michigan’s fight against hunger and has been doing so for more than 40 years since 1981. In addition to CSFP, mobile distributions and our network of community partners, GLFB offers several other programs to directly serve neighbors in need of food:
- Home Delivery for home-bound neighbors due to age, disability or those without reliable transportation who are in need of emergency food.
- Care Kits of ready-made or open-and-eat food and other personal care items for unhoused neighbors, distributed by partners that serve these neighbors.
- Weekend Kits distributed through schools provide kid-friendly bags of food intended to meet a child’s nutritional needs during non-school hours.
- Garden Project supporting a network of nearly 90 community gardens and more than 6,000 home gardeners with resources, education, plants, seeds and garden space to empower neighbors to grow their own nutritious produce.
There are nearly 100,000 neighbors across mid-Michigan experiencing food insecurity. In 2024, GLFB served an average of 27,381 households each month via our pantry network and direct programming listed above. If current trends continue, we anticipate a continued rise in the number of neighbors seeking support from GLFB and our partners in the coming months.
Readers who are hungry to help can visit GLFoodBank.org to learn more about donating funds, hosting a food drive or volunteering with GLFB.
The federal CSFP program aims to improve the health of seniors over 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with a monthly box of USDA food commodities. Image credit: CDC on unsplash.com
This column is sponsored by Stockbridge Community Outreach. Our local food pantry, crisis, and referral center is located in the Stockbridge Activity Center (old middle school) near Cherry and Elm streets in Stockbridge. Office hours are 1-3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and by appointment. [email protected], 517-851-7285, or find us on Facebook.
