Michigan DHS office in Jackson County receives 2011 SNAP Hunger Champions Bronze Awards from USDA

Contact: Dave Akerly, Director of Marketing and Public Relations 517-373-7394

The 2011 SNAP Hunger Champions Award program honors local county assistance offices that provide exemplary service in assisting eligible clients to obtain food assistance benefits from the FNS's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and make an enduring and sustained effort to embrace the SNAP mission: "To increase food security and to reduce hunger by providing children and low income people with food, a healthy diet and nutrition education."

Local county assistance offices with a unique and creative approach to serving their clients are recognized with a certificate noting their extra effort, commitment and passion for assuring that SNAP participants have the nutrition assistance they need. In addition, all nominees will be listed as exemplary offices on the FNS website at www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach.

An initiative of the FNS Outreach Coalition, the SNAP Hunger Champions Award Program honors local social services offices for providing exemplary outreach and service to clients. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) supports these efforts by conducting an ongoing national media campaign to promote the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), providing a toll-free SNAP information hotline, a website for quick and confidential eligibility screening, and free outreach materials. Hundreds of food banks, community and faith-based groups, and other organizations nationwide help people learn about and apply for SNAP benefits.

The Jackson County Michigan DHS is located at 301 E. Louis Glick Hwy., Jackson, MI.

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