Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “End Veteran Hunger Act of 2022”.
End Veteran Hunger Act of 2022
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on food insecurity, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program on food insecurity
Authority— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Director of the National Nutrition and Food Services Office, shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall—
make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of supporting partnerships that address food insecurity among veterans and family members of veterans, including veterans who receive services through Vet Centers or other facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs as determined by the Secretary; and
make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of supporting partnerships that address food insecurity among veterans who have recently transitioned from serving as members of the Armed Forces to civilian life, and the family members of such members.
Distribution and duration of grants—
General grants— The Secretary shall award at least five grants under subsection (a)(1) to eligible entities that principally serve Native Americans.
Transition grants— The Secretary shall award at least one grant under subsection (a)(2) in five different geographic areas that the Secretary determines have a high rate of individuals described in such paragraph.
Grant period— A grant awarded to an eligible entity under this section shall be for a period of two years, but the Secretary may renew the grant for additional periods, subject to subsection (h).
Use of funds—
In general— Each grant awarded under this section shall be used to carry out either or both of the following activities:
Increasing access to, and enrollment in, Federal assistance programs, including the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children established by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), the low-income home energy assistance program established under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq.), and any other assistance program that the Secretary determines advisable.
Increasing participation in nutrition counseling programs and providing educational materials and counseling to veterans, and family members of veterans, to address food insecurity and healthy diets among those individuals.
Additional use— In addition to being used to carry out either or both of the activities specified in paragraph (1), any grant awarded under this section may be used to provide direct food assistance to covered individuals, or otherwise to provide assistance to covered individuals in accessing food.
Applications— An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application therefor at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
Selection of recipients— The Secretary shall select eligible entities that submit applications under subsection (d) for the award of grants using a competitive process that takes into account the following:
The capacity of the applicant entity to serve covered individuals.
The demonstrated need of the population the applicant entity would serve.
The demonstrated need of the applicant entity for assistance from the grants.
The capacity of the applicant entity to serve covered individuals from underserved or disadvantaged populations.
Such other criteria as the Secretary considers appropriate.
Multiple grants— The Secretary may award grants to an eligible entity under both paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a).
Information—
Collection— The Secretary shall collect such information from eligible entities that receive a grant under this section as the Secretary determines appropriate to monitor and evaluate the use of grants, including—
data regarding the results or outcomes of the services provided to covered individuals under the grant; and
data regarding how activities or programs carried out under the grant contribute to specific goals, including eligibility screening, application assistance, and food insecurity.
Form and manner— Information under paragraph (1) shall be furnished in such form and manner as the Secretary may specify.
Duration of program— The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under this section for a five-year period.
Reports required—
Reports—
Initial report— Not later than three years after the date on which the pilot program under this section commences, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an initial report on veteran food insecurity.
Final report— Not later than the two years after the date on which the pilot program under this section concludes, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a final report on veteran food insecurity.
Matters— Each report under paragraph (1) shall include the findings of a study on the effectiveness of the grants made under such pilot program (including an analysis of the data specified in subsection (g)(1)), disaggregated by grants awarded under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), respectively. With respect to grants awarded under such paragraph (2), such study shall—
measure the need for food assistance by individuals described in such paragraph (2); and
include a description of how improving access to food during the period in which an individual transitions from service in the armed forces to civilian life affects the outcomes of the individual and the family of the individual.
Authorization of appropriations— There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
Definitions— In this section:
The term covered individual means any veteran or family member described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a).
The term eligible entity means—
a nonprofit organization;
a veterans service organization;
a Federal, State, or local government agency;
an Indian Tribe or tribal organization;
a community-based organization; or
an institution of higher education.
The terms Indian Tribe and “tribal organization” have the meanings given those terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
The term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
The term Native American has the meaning given that term in section 3765 of title 38, United States Code.
The term State means each of the several States, territories, and possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The term “veterans service organization” means any organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.