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Reaching out to Homeless, Runaway, and Domestic Violence Shelters

Outreach is very important for increasing participation in the new component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program for children and youth in homeless and domestic violence shelters. Outreach is particularly important because the program is still relatively new, because the new eligibility for teens opens the program to runaway shelters, and because it makes it more attractive to other shelters. Many shelters are still unaware of these changes. Broader awareness and understanding of this program will mean that many more children in shelters can benefit from the good nutrition the program provides. Helping to support shelters with additional resources to feed children is even more important in these difficult economic times. Outreach to shelters can be challenging, particularly locating the shelters.

An important part of outreach, and one that can make the job much easier, is to work with organizations that already have connections with shelters. These organizations include The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) state agencies, anti-hunger organizations, homeless and domestic violence advocacy organizations, and food banks. The Emergency Food Assistance Program state agencies distribute TEFAP food commodities to homeless shelters. These state agencies can assist with outreach efforts by distributing information to the many homeless shelters participating in TEFAP. Contact lists for these organizations are included in this section of the FRAC website.

There are many ways to let homeless, runaway, and domestic violence shelters know about the benefits of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. You can partner with homeless, runaway, domestic violence and anti-hunger organizations to distribute outreach materials and information through a mailing to their members. You might find the sample cover letter included in this outreach kit helpful to include when mailing information to shelters. You can present a workshop on the food program at the conference or meeting of a state homeless, runaway, or domestic violence organization. You can present alone or along with a representative of an anti-hunger organization or with the state CACFP Agency. Newsletters for homeless, domestic violence or anti-hunger organizations and food banks are another good way of getting the information out. When available, e-mail lists and communication networks can be used to quickly and easily get information to many shelters.

If you have any questions, need assistance or would like to share your successful outreach techniques, please contact Geri Henchy at the Food Research and Action Center, 202-986-2200, ext. 3025.