2012-15387. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-National Hunger Clearinghouse Database Form

AGENCY:

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection for the National Hunger Clearinghouse.

DATES:

Written comments must be received on or before August 24, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments may be sent to: Raymond Magee, Program Analyst, Office of Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships, and Outreach, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1400, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted via email to [e-mail]. Comments will also be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov,, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically.

All written comments will be open for public inspection at the office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1400 Alexandria, Virginia 22302.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of this information collection should be directed to Raymond Magee, Program Analyst, at 703-305-2657.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: National Hunger Clearinghouse Database Form.

Form: FNS 543.

OMB Number: 0584-0474.

Expiration Date: 8/31/2012.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Section 26(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769g(d)) (the Act), which was added to the Act by section 123 of Public Law 103-448 on November 2, 1994, mandated that FNS enter into a contract with a non-governmental organization to establish and maintain an information clearinghouse (named “USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse” or “Clearinghouse”) for groups that assist low-income individuals or communities regarding nutrition assistance programs or other assistance. FNS awarded this contract to the national hunger advocacy organization World Hunger Year (WHY) of New York, NY. Section 26(d) was amended by section 112 of Public Law 105-336 on October 31, 1998, to extend funding for the Clearinghouse (now called “National Hunger Clearinghouse” or “Clearinghouse”) through fiscal year 2003. This Act was amended again by Public Law 108-265 on June 30, 2004, and provided increased funding for the Clearinghouse through fiscal year 2008. Section 26(d) of this Act was amended again by Public Law 110-246 on October 1, 2008, to extend funding for the Clearinghouse through fiscal year 2010 with the option for four one-year renewals.

The Clearinghouse includes a database (FNS-543) of non-governmental, grassroots programs that work in the areas of hunger and nutrition, as well as a mailing list of relevant local governmental agencies. Under the original contract, Clearinghouse staff established the database by reviewing relevant programs of organizations contained in several existing mailing lists. Program and mailing information about organizations pulled from these lists were collected and entered into the database once each contract year via a mail survey with follow up to ensure high response rates. Surveys (FNS-543) are also completed on-line at http://www.whyhunger.org/​joinTheNetwork/​governmentInfo. Survey questionnaires will continue to be sent out under the current contract. From this information collection, the following information was determined:

Estimate of the Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average Ten (10) minutes to complete the survey (the survey includes one two-page instrument). There is no recordkeeping involved.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, as well as non-profit organizations, and organizations providing nutrition assistance services to the public.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,750.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One (1) response per respondent.

Estimated Total Annual Responses: 1,750.

Estimated Time per Respondent: .167.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 292.25 hours.

Affected public	Est. number of respondents	Frequency of response	Total estimated annual responses	Estimated time per response	Total estimated burden hours
Businesses and non-profits	1,750	1	1,750	.167	292.25

Dated: June 18, 2012.

Audrey Rowe,

Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.