U.S.D.A. Food Items To Be Distributed To Eligible St. Thomas And St. John Residents

ST. THOMAS — The Virgin Islands Department of Education, Division of Special Nutrition Programs on Tuesday informed residents here and in St. John of the distribution of bonus USDA commodities to all eligible persons at the Julius E. Sprauve School cafeteria on Saturday, beginning at 7:00 a.m. until supplies are depleted, and at the Lockhart Elementary School cafeteria Saturday, September 24, from 7:00 a.m. until supplies are depleted.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program or (TEFAP) uses income, not age to determine program eligibility. This distribution is for all persons meeting the criteria listed below. Distribution packages will be limited to one per household.

Individuals or heads of households eligible to receive these commodities must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• A person or head of household whose gross family income does not exceed the 185% of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.  (See Income Eligibility Guidelines table below)
• A person or head of household whom is a client of any of the following income-certified assistance programs:

(a) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

(b) Medical Assistance Program

(c) Be a Tenant of a Subsidized Public Housing Program

The following chart outlines the Income Eligibility Guidelines as of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2017:

To obtain commodities, proper identification must be presented. Persons completing the Self Certification Form should be prepared to provide information relative to their gross income.  Any persons not able to provide satisfactory information to the distribution site staff will not receive a commodity package. Potential recipients should bring along sturdy boxes or bags to assist with the transport of the food packages.

For further information, please call Federal Commodities Officer Correy Lettsome at (340) 774-0100 ext. 2818.

CIVIL RIGHTS NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.  To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) Email: [email protected].