[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 7, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11373-11374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3159]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--FNS-543, National Hunger Clearinghouse Database Form

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the 
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) invites the general public and other 
public agencies to comment on this information collection on which FNS 
intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 8, 2006.

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 has 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 that were used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology. Comments may be sent to Pam Phillips, 
Director, Consumer and Community Affairs, Office of Communications and 
Governmental Affairs, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 912, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Phillips, (703) 305-2298. Copies 
of this information collection can be obtained from Gregory Walton at 
the address listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: National Hunger Clearinghouse Database Form.
    OMB Number: 0584-0474.
    Form Number: FNS-543.
    Expiration Date: 7/31/2006.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.

[[Page 11374]]

    Abstract: Section 26(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School 
Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769g(d)), which was added to the Act by section 
123 of Public Law 103-448 on November 2, 1994, mandated that FNS enter 
into a four-year 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. 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 by 
section 128 of Public Law 108-265 on June 30, 2004, and provided 
increased funding for the Clearinghouse. FNS awarded this contract to 
the national hunger advocacy organization World Hunger Year (WHY) of 
New York, NY.
    The Clearinghouse includes a database 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 culled from these lists were collected and entered into 
the database once each contract year (years one through four of the 
original contract and year one and two of the existing contract) 
through a series of electronically-processed survey questionnaires sent 
through the United States Postal Service. Clearinghouse staff followed 
up by phone or facsimile to ensure the highest possible return rate on 
the questionnaires. Surveys could also be completed on the World Wide 
Web. Returned surveys were scanned and data entered into the database. 
Survey questionnaires will continue to be sent out in the current 
contract. For this information collection, the following information 
was determined:
    Estimate of the Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average five minutes for the survey (the 
survey includes one two-page instrument).
    Respondents: The respondents are non-governmental organizations 
that have grassroots food and nutrition programs.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,750.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One response per 
respondent.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 146 hours.

    Dated: February 28, 2006.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E6-3159 Filed 3-6-06; 8:45 am]
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