The federal nutrition programs are dynamic near-term responders in the wake of natural disasters.
The federal nutrition programs are responding to meet the needs of those affected by:
Wildfires – California
Typhoon Yutu – Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Hurricane Michael – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Virginia
Hurricane Florence – North Carolina, South Carolina
Power Outages – Massachusetts
Hurricane Lane – Hawaii
See USDA’s Food Assistance for Disaster Relief page for more information.
USDA’s National Hunger Hotline can connect callers with emergency food providers in their community. Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish) from Monday through Friday (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET).
Here are ways advocates can provide food assistance to those in need:
- Foster relationships with state and local SNAP agencies.
- Urge your state to apply to USDA for D-SNAP as soon as disaster strikes.
- Engage media, elected officials, and FEMA in getting out the word about food assistance.
- Speak up on behalf of clients who fall through the cracks of disaster relief efforts.
- Urge your state child nutrition agency to apply for waivers to ensure access to meals and snacks through the child nutrition programs.
An Advocate’s Guide to the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
Read more
U.S. Hunger Solutions: Best Practices for Getting SNAP to Disaster Victims
See recommended best practices
A Program that Works: Disaster SNAP
Download the infographic
Opportunities for Schools to Provide Disaster Relief Through the Child Nutrition Programs
Find out more
Fact Sheet
