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Federal Food Programs
The federal government has programs to feed homeless individuals and families, including WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), Food Stamps, and School Meals. However, many times this aid does not reach its intended recipients because of a lack of information. This resource guide is written for homeless advocates who wish to educate homeless shelters and families on their options, helping them to access the food resources they need.

Included in this guide for case workers are a number of new and existing rules that facilitate the participation of those experiencing homelessness in the federal food programs as well as brochures, written in a low-literacy format, explaining options. These materials are designed to be copied and distributed widely.

Resource Center Contents

Resource Guide, including information on school meals, nutrition funds for shelters, food stamps, and the WIC program.

• Resource Guide

• School Meals Brochure
• Federal Food Programs Brochure

Local Resources

Funds for Feeding Children in Shelters
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federal entitlement, is an important resource you can use for feeding children and youth in your homeless and runaway shelters, domestic violence shelters and some transitional housing in Houston. Through this program, you can receive up to $6.46 a day for every child served breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack. Children and teens up to 18 years of age are eligible for this funding. You can use this program to bring much-needed benefits to children and youth.

This Tool Kit, a product of the Feed the Most Vulnerable project, provides information and tools for shelters considering the homeless shelter option in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This Shelter Tool Kit includes program information, a resource guide, information on menus and meal planning, model program information and links to other important information and organizations.

Shelters interested in participating in CACFP should contact Gaye Butler at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Special Nutrition Programs at (713) 696-3635 or FRAC (202) 986-2200 extension 3025 or ghenchy@frac.org.

Child and Adult Care Food Program

Shelter Tool Kit Contents

Program Basics