Outreach in Action: If buying food is putting a hole in your pocket, help may be on the way.
by Jo Mayer and Paul Crandall
The USDA has announced an increase in income limits to qualify for TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.
A federal program, TEFAP helps supplement the diets of income-eligible people by providing free USDA food. Offerings include canned, frozen, dried, and fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, nuts, milk and cheese and whole-grain and enriched grain products including rice, cereal, and pasta.
So what does this mean for people in our area?
According to Outreach director Gwen Reid, more folks will qualify for help.
Not to be confused with Outreach’s Wednesday “pop-up” food distributions for which anyone can qualify, the TEFAP program especially targets seniors, those on disability, and those already in a government program such as WIC or SNAP.
“Some of the people who come through our Wednesday line didn’t qualify for the TEFAP program in 2024,” Reid said. “But with this change to the income limits, they may now be able to benefit from some extra food basics each month.”
According to a notice received from the Greater Lansing Food Bank, eligibility for TEFAP is self-declared by the participant. No ID or proof of income is required.
TEFAP distributions are scheduled for first Fridays from 1 to 2 p.m. in Stockbridge, in the parking lot outside the Outreach offices off Elm and Cherry Streets. Those interested will be asked for name, state of residence, number of people in the household, and how they qualify.
Here are the USDA’s new income guidelines:
| Household Size | Annual Income | Monthly Income | Weekly Income |
| 1 | $45,180 | $3,765 | $869 |
| 2 | $61,320 | $5,110 | $1,179 |
| 3 | $77,460 | $6,455 | $1,490 |
| 4 | $93,600 | $7,800 | $1,800 |
| Each Additional household member add | $16,140 | $1,345 | $310 |
Reid added that the new guidelines for TEFAP do not extend to Outreach programs.
“For help with utilities, transportation, prescriptions or other needs, our clients must still meet the eligibility requirements of incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines,” Reid said.
TEFAP helps supplement the diets of income-eligible people by providing free USDA food. Image credit: Anne Preble 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.
