The USDA Commodity Foods Program provides a variety of nutritious, free foods that enable low-income families to stretch their grocery dollars. UETHDA distributes the USDA foods in nine different locations throughout the eight-county service area. Volunteers and local agencies donate their time and efforts to help make the USDA food available to their neighbors. University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension agents provide important information on how to use commodities. Funding is provided by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), also known as Commodities, is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost. Food boxes are distributed by volunteers and Neighborhood Service Center staff members.

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Low Income Home Energy Assistance

LIHEAP is a critical life-saving program for the neighbors of Northeast Tennessee.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides aid to the most vulnerable in our society, such as elderly disabled, and homes with small children.

Many of our neighbors struggle to afford their energy costs such as heating, cooling, firewood, coal, and gas.

Sometimes they have to decide between feeding their families or purchasing medication and paying their electric bill.

LIHEAP lifts that burden, so neighbors do not have to choose.

LIHEAP gives neighbors more opportunity to thrive. When they aren’t worried about paying their energy bills, they can dedicate their time to taking care of their families, going back to school, or applying for a new job.

Last year Upper East served 8,346 households through LIHEAP

 

 Weatherization Assistance Program

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of the homes while ensuring the neighbor’s health and safety. It is the nation’s single largest residential whole-house energy efficiency program.

The Weatherization Assistance Program has created an industry, producing new jobs and technologies, all while helping the most vulnerable neighbors in America. Weatherization not only helps households, it also helps revitalize communities by spurring economic growth and reducing environmental impact. After Weatherization, families have homes that are more livable, resulting in fewer missed days of work (i.e. sick days, doctor visits), and decreased out of- pocket medical expenses.

Weatherization differs from LIHEAP in that certified contractors selected through Upper East, physically come into a home and make it more energy efficient.

• Preference is given to the elderly, disabled, and homes with young children.
• Last year, the Weatherization Assistance Program assisted 118 households in Northeast Tennessee.

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Emergency Assistance is designed to assist neighbors that are “in crisis” situations.

Services include:

• Crisis Assistance
• Employment Services
• USDA Commodity Food Distributions
• Various Food Pantries/Partnerships throughout the region
• Homeless Assistance
• Health Services
• Rent Assistance

The nutrition program is funded through the State of Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Each Neighborhood Service Center works hard to assist our neighbors in many ways.  It is hard to list all available areas we assist.

Please contact your local Service Center today to discuss your needs.