Feeding the hungry
Thanks to the President and Congress, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 included $20 billion in additional funding to provide food to those most in need. It also provides infrastructure support to the National School Lunch Program, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations – to make them even stronger.
We know there are people in every community who face hunger and need help. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service oversees 15 nutrition assistance programs that form a national safety net against hunger. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program, is our largest nutrition program serving more than 33 million people each month, half of whom are children.
In April 2009, SNAP helped 193,588 people in Utah put more healthy food on the table, reaching 45.5 percent more people than the previous year. The beauty of the program is that it expands and contracts based on economic conditions. ARRA money provides participating SNAP families of four, for instance, an additional $80 each month to purchase nutritious food.
Helping the hungry in our communities not only provides needed assistance, but helps all of us by stimulating local economies. Every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates over $9 in total economic activity – both within local communities and well beyond.
The diets of low-income Americans are improved every day because of nutrition assistance programs. If you know someone in need, please have them call the SNAP toll-free number, 1-800-221-5689 or visit www.fns.usda.gov. Together, we can work toward the President’s mandate to end childhood hunger by 2015 and improve the lives of our youngest Americans.
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Posted:
11:47AM Jul 31, 2009
by Jean Daniel in USDA Web Site |
Helper City, Emery County, Utah
Helper City, Emery County, Utah
Helper City Police
Benefits: to serve and respond to an entire rural community effectively
Number of Jobs (direct and indirect) Created or Saved: one
ARRA Funds: $16,350
Leveraging: $13,378
Competitive Process: No
How Rural Development Funds Will Be Used:
• This project will enable the Helper city Police Department respond to emergency calls and accidents with faster, safer response time due to sever weather conditions in this rural, mountainous area.
This First Responder Project is covered under the Presidential Initiative. It is vital that first responders be adequately equipped and have reliable equipment to respond to any and all emergencies as they arise
Background and Historical Data
The purchase of a four-wheel drive pick up truck will enable this small, rural community to respond to emergencies, accidents and incidents with significantly faster and safer response time; due to the fact that this community experiences severe weather conditions.
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Posted:
11:04AM Jul 23, 2009
by Charles Hobbs in USDA Web Site |
Bluff, San Juan, UT
Bluff, San Juan, UT
BLUFF FIRE TRUCK
Benefits: Fire Truck will aid in servicing a 200 square mile area with Fire and rescue service.
Number of Jobs (direct and indirect) Created or Saved: Community Service – 15 volunteer firefighters
ARRA Funds: $100,000
Leveraging: $100,000
Competitive Process: No
How Rural Development Funds Will Be used: (use bullet summary)
• Purchase a Fire Truck, Bluff City only has one fire truck to cover a large rural area. One truck is not adequate to cover the entire area and if the truck is out of commission, there would be no coverage at all. The Fire Truck would greatly enhance the tactical options in Bluff and the surrounding areas.
• If a second truck can be purchased, Bluff and the surrounding areas would have increased service, and have a better chance of taking care of the health and safety issues of the residents.
This First Responder Project is covered under the Presidential Initiative. It is vital that first responders be adequately equipped and have reliable equipment to respond to any and all emergencies as they arise
Background and Historical Data (Briefly describe what the project is, why it’s important and explain what issues or concerns it is addressing.)
Bluff responds to about 40 fire and rescue call each year. Many of the calls are on unimproved roads and many are on the Indian reservation. The truck would be four wheel drive to meet these and other needs of the area. The fire engine will be highway-compatible which will improve response time and response options dealing with hazardous material, tractor/trailer fires and wild land fires outside the city limits. Over the past ten years the expectation of the volunteer Bluff Fire Department has increased and the firefighters have tried diligently to meet the needs of the population and remote areas, but the resources have not kept up with the need. This fire truck will really make the difference
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Posted:
10:58AM Jul 23, 2009
by Charles Hobbs in USDA Web Site |
Manti, Sanpete County, Utah
Manti City
Benefits: This project will provide full ADA accessibility to the Historic City Hall that will enable the community to hold public meetings and all residents can attend, not only the residents that can walk up staircase.
Number of Jobs (direct and indirect) Created or Saved: 2
ARRA Funds: $38,200
Leveraging: $115,000
Competitive Process: Yes
How Rural Development Funds Will Be Used: (use bullet summary)
• This project will install an elevator into the historic city hall
• This will provide ADA accessibility for all individuals in the historic city building
• This will increase the functionality of the facility for public meetings and gatherings
Background and Historical Data (Briefly describe what the project is, why it’s important and explain what issues or concerns it is addressing.)
• Manti City has restored the old city hall to increase the functionality and benefit for the community. They will use this building for public meetings and gatherings. Having full access to all individuals will enhance the effective use of this facility.
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Posted:
10:52AM Jul 23, 2009
by Charles Hobbs in USDA Web Site |
Fairview, Sanpete County, Utah
Fairview Community Center
Benefits: this project will provide full ADA accessibility to the Community Center which holds public meetings.
Number of Jobs (direct and indirect) Created or Saved:
ARRA Funds: $100,000
Leveraging: 1,900,000
Competitive Process: Yes
How Rural Development Funds Will Be Used:
• This project will restore and remodel the existing Fairview City Community Center
• It will provide for full ADA accessibility to all members and patrons of the community
• The center will be used for public meetings and community gatherings
Background and Historical Data (Briefly describe what the project is, why it’s important and explain what issues or concerns it is addressing.)
Fairview City will be restoring the historic community center to increase the functionality and benefit for the community. They will use this building for public meetings and gatherings. Having full access to all individuals will enhance the effective use of this facility. This facility is listed on the historic register and has not been updated to meet accessibility requirements. This funding will bring this facility into compliance.
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Posted:
10:47AM Jul 23, 2009
by Charles Hobbs in USDA Web Site |
Bluff Fire Truck to Serve the Community
Project Name: BLUFF FIRE TRUCK
Benefits: Fire Truck will aid in servicing a 200 square mile area with fire and rescue service.
Number of Jobs (direct and indirect) Created or Saved: Community Service – 15 volunteer firefighters
ARRA Funds: $100,000
Leveraging: $100,000
How Rural Development Funds Will Be used:
• Purchase a Fire Truck, Bluff City only has one fire truck to cover a large rural area. One truck is not adequate to cover the entire area and if the truck is out of commission, there would be no coverage at all. The Fire Truck would greatly enhance the tactical options in Bluff and the surrounding areas.
• If a second truck can be purchased, Bluff and the surrounding areas would have increased service, and have a better chance of taking care of the health and safety issues of the residents.
This First Responder Project is covered under the Presidential Initiative. It is vital that first responders be adequately equipped and have reliable equipment to respond to any and all emergencies as they arise
Background and Historical Data:
Bluff responds to about 40 fire and rescue call each year. Many of the calls are on unimproved roads and many are on the Indian reservation. The truck would be four wheel drive to meet these and other needs of the area. The fire engine will be highway-compatible which will improve response time and response options dealing with hazardous material, tractor/trailer fires and wild land fires outside the city limits. Over the past ten years the expectation of the volunteer Bluff Fire Department has increased and the firefighters have tried diligently to meet the needs of the population and remote areas, but the resources have not kept up with the need. This fire truck will really make the difference.
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Posted:
06:52PM Jul 11, 2009
by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site |
Manti City Historic City Hall Project
Project Name: Manti City Historic City Hall
Benefits: This project will provide full American Disability Act accessibility to the Historic City Hall that will enable the community to hold public meetings and all residents can attend, not only the residents that can walk up staircases.
Number of Jobs (direct and indirect) Created or Saved: 2
ARRA Funds: $38,200
Leveraging: $115,000
How Rural Development Funds Will Be Used:
• This project will install an elevator into the historic city hall
• This will provide ADA accessibility for all individuals in the historic city building
• This will increase the functionality of the facility for public meetings and gatherings
Background and Historical Data:
• Manti City has restored the old city hall to increase the functionality and benefit for the community. They will use this building for public meetings and gatherings. Having full access to all individuals will enhance the effective use of this facility.
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Posted:
06:49PM Jul 11, 2009
by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site |
Fairview Community Center Project
Project Name: Fairview Community Center
Benefits: this project will provide full American Disability Act accessibility to the Community Center which holds public meetings.
ARRA Funds: $100,000
Leveraging: $1,900,000
How Rural Development Funds Will Be Used:
• This project will restore and remodel the existing Fairview City Community Center
• It will provide for full ADA accessibility to all members and patrons of the community
• The center will be used for public meetings and community gatherings
Background and Historical Data:
Fairview City will be restoring the historic community center to increase the functionality and benefit for the community. They will use this building for public meetings and gatherings. Having full access to all individuals will enhance the effective use of this facility. This facility is listed on the historic register and has not been updated to meet accessibility requirements. This funding will bring this facility into compliance.
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Posted:
06:44PM Jul 11, 2009
by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site |
Tell Us Your Story
USDA is implementing the $28 billion provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). This Funding will help jumpstart the Nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. Our efforts will help modernize our nation's infrastructure, revitalize rural communities, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. Give us your feedback and tell us how the Recovery Act is helping in your local communities.
All comments will be posted within 24 hours or less.
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Posted:
01:08PM Apr 29, 2009
by NITC Blog Admin in USDA Recovery Act |
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Friday Jul 31, 2009
