We are thrilled to announce the kick-off of our new Food Pantry program which provides immediate assistance to patients who screen positive for food insecurity. In collaboration with St. Mary’s Food Bank, NOAH will now offer food boxes at Cholla, Copperwood, and Palomino Health Centers as part of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Each of the three sites will receive 100 food boxes per month for distribution to NOAH patients, community members, and even employees in need of assistance.
These shelf-stable food boxes will be delivered to participating clinics two to three weeks before the designated distribution month, however, they must be given out during the designated month. Even if we run out of food for the current month, these boxes cannot be given out in advance. On the other hand, it’s okay to run out of boxes in a given month. We WANT to get this food to patients in need as quickly as possible!
As a federally funded program TEFAP requires significant inventory and tracking through a platform called “Link2Feed”. Individuals receiving TEFAP boxes are limited to one box per month and must present a valid ID and a piece of mail with their current address (if not provided on ID) during the time of pickup.
Here’s how it works:
Food Distribution Begins February 1!
Cholla, Copperwood, and Palomino Health Centers
Process for TEFAP Box Distribution
- When a patient screens positive for food insecurity, please help them complete a Food Services Referral Card.
- Have the patient present their completed form to the front desk in exchange for a TEFAP food box.
- Front office staff will then enter the patient information from the card in “Link2Feed”.
Thank you in advance for your support in administering our food services program! Clinic staff and leaders have been instrumental in making this dream become a reality.
Desert Mission, Midtown, and Venado Health Centers
Process for Food Services Referral
- Place an ambulatory referral to Community Resources.
- Community Resources will follow-up with the patient to provide assistance.
If you have questions, please contact crmanagement@noahhelps.org.
