“Better Than Average” campaign revitalizes payment accuracy; DHSS gives $20,000 to Food Bank of Alaska to benefit programs to feed hungry kids this summer.
(Anchorage, Alaska) — U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Under Secretary Eric Bost recognized Alaska’s Food Stamp program as one of the three most improved in the nation today during an event held at the Food Bank of Alaska. Bost awarded the Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services (DHSS ) $205,389 for its successful effort to improve payment accuracy. “This achievement is a result of decisive action and hard work. It is satisfying to receive national recognition for our efforts,” said DHSS Commissioner Joel Gilbertson.
In turn, Gilbertson presented a grant award of $20,000 to the Food Bank of Alaska to provide fresh Alaska produce for Kids Café’s summer breakfast and lunch programs as well as other child food programs in Alaska. “Because of our accomplishment, we are in the fortunate situation of passing some of this award onto Food Bank of Alaska to help feed some of Alaska’s hungry children. At the same time we are giving a boost to Alaska’s economy by purchasing produce from farmers here in Alaska.” said Gilbertson. “In this case, ‘better government’ is not just a slogan, it will feed kids and help promote healthy Alaskans.”
The Food Bank of Alaska works in collaboration with the Kid’s Café to provide nutritious meals to children who are no longer receiving school lunch or breakfast during the summer. Kids Café serves 2,000 meals each week to children through eight summer food service sites in Anchorage. Food Bank of Alaska is on track to distribute nearly 5 million pounds of food this year to food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency programs and adult/child daycare programs through its network of more than 300 agencies across the state. read complete story
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