Private Food Assistance in the Deep South: Assessing Agency Directors' Knowledge of Charitable Choice

Authors

Suzie T. Cashwell, Western Kentucky University
John P. Bartkowski, Mississippi State University
Patricia Duffy, Auburn University
Vanessa Casanova, Auburn University
Joseph Molnar, Auburn University
Marina Irima-Vladu, Auburn University

Keywords

Food insecurity, food pantries, faith-based, religion, charitable choice, government policy

Abstract

In recent years,food banking has emerged as an important tool in America's fight against hunger and malnutrition. At the same time, the charitable choice provision of 1996 welfare reform law has significantly expanded the opportunity for public-private partnerships in the provision of social services. Given the new opportunities ushered in by this legislation, this study examines the knowledge that food pantry directors in Alabama and Mississippi possess about charitable choice. Our study reveals that food pantry directors are generally lacking in knowledge about key charitable choice provisions, thereby limiting the potential for this initiative to be utilized fully in this area. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings and specifying directions for future research.

Recommended Citation

Cashwell, Suzie T.; Bartkowski, John P.; Duffy, Patricia; Casanova, Vanessa; Molnar, Joseph; and Irima-Vladu, Marina (2004) "Private Food Assistance in the Deep South: Assessing Agency Directors' Knowledge of Charitable Choice," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 31: Iss. 2, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.2988
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol31/iss2/9