End Veteran Hunger Act of 2022

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on food insecurity, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the End Veteran Hunger Act of 2022 2. Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program on food insecurity (a) 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— (1) 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 (2) 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. (b) Distribution and duration of grants (1) General grants The Secretary shall award at least five grants under subsection (a)(1) to eligible entities that principally serve Native Americans. (2) 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. (3) 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). (c) Use of funds (1) In general Each grant awarded under this section shall be used to carry out either or both of the following activities: (A) 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. 42 U.S.C. 1786 42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq. (B) 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. (2) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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: (1) The capacity of the applicant entity to serve covered individuals. (2) The demonstrated need of the population the applicant entity would serve. (3) The demonstrated need of the applicant entity for assistance from the grants. (4) The capacity of the applicant entity to serve covered individuals from underserved or disadvantaged populations. (5) Such other criteria as the Secretary considers appropriate. (f) Multiple grants The Secretary may award grants to an eligible entity under both paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a). (g) Information (1) 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— (A) data regarding the results or outcomes of the services provided to covered individuals under the grant; and (B) data regarding how activities or programs carried out under the grant contribute to specific goals, including eligibility screening, application assistance, and food insecurity. (2) Form and manner Information under paragraph (1) shall be furnished in such form and manner as the Secretary may specify. (h) Duration of program The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under this section for a five-year period. (i) Reports required (1) Reports (A) 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. (B) 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. (2) 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— (A) measure the need for food assistance by individuals described in such paragraph (2); and (B) 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. (j) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal years 2023 through 2027. (k) Definitions In this section: (1) The term covered individual (2) The term eligible entity (A) a nonprofit organization; (B) a veterans service organization; (C) a Federal, State, or local government agency; (D) an Indian Tribe or tribal organization; (E) a community-based organization; or (F) an institution of higher education. (3) The terms Indian Tribe tribal organization 25 U.S.C. 5304 (4) The term institution of higher education 20 U.S.C. 1001 (5) The term Native American (6) The term State (7) The term veterans service organization

Summary: End Veteran Hunger Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a five-year pilot program to make grants to eligible entities (e.g., nonprofit organizations, veterans service organizations, or government agencies) to support partnerships that address food insecurity among veterans and their family members, including veterans who utilize Vet Center services and those who have recently transitioned from serving as members of the Armed Forces to civilian life.