In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This is a revision of a currently approved information collection from organizations fighting hunger and poverty.
Section 26(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act mandated that FNS enter into a contract with a non-governmental organization to establish and maintain an information clearinghouse (named “USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse” or “Clearinghouse”) for groups that assist low-income individuals or communities regarding nutrition assistance programs or other assistance. Section 26(d) of this Act was amended again by PL 113-79 on Feb. 7, 2014 to extend funding for the Clearinghouse through fiscal year 2015 for $250,000. FNS awarded this contract to the hunger advocacy organization Hunger Free America on Oct. 1, 2014.
The Clearinghouse includes a database of non-governmental, grassroots organizations in the areas of hunger and nutrition, along with a mailing list to communicate with these organizations. These organizations enter their information into the database, and Clearinghouse staff use that information to provide the public with information about where they can get food assistance. Surveys (FNS-543) will be completed online at https://www.fns.usda.gov/partnerships/national-hunger-clearinghouse. Information from past collections will be used as an estimate for future data collection for fiscal year 2018.