rh^ PUBLIC LAW 103-448—NOV. 2, 1994 108 STAT. 4731 (c) No REDUCTION IN AUTHORITY TO DEBAR OR SUSPEND A 42 USC i769f PERSON FROM FEDERAL FINANCIAL AND NONFINANCIAL ASSISTANCE "°^- AND BENEFITS. — The authority of the Secretary of Agriculture that exists on the day before the date of enactment of this Act to debar or suspend a person from Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under Federal programs and activities shall not be diminished or reduced by subsection (a) or the amendment made by subsection (a). SEC. 123. INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE. The National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) (as amended by section 122) is further amended by adding at the end the following new section: "SEC 26. INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE. 42 USC 1769g. "(a) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary shall enter into a contract Contracts, with a nongovernmental organization described in subsection (b) to establish and maintain a clearinghouse to provide information to nongovernmental groups located throughout the United States that assist low-income individuals or communities regarding food assistance, self-help activities to aid individuals in becoming self- reliant, and other activities that empower low-income individuals or communities to improve the Uves of low-income individuals and reduce reliance on Federal, State, or local governmental agencies for food or other assistance. "(b) NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION.— The nongovernmental organization referred to in subsection (a) shall be selected on a competitive basis and shall— "(1) be experienced in the gathering of first-hand information in all the States through onsite visits to grassroots organizations in each State that fight hunger and poverty or that assist individuals in becoming self-reliant; "(2) be experienced in the establishment of a clearinghouse similar to the clearinghouse described in subsection (a); "(3) agree to contribute in-kind resources towards the establishment and maintenance of the clearinghouse and agree to provide clearinghouse information, free of charge, to the Secretary, States, counties, cities, antihunger groups, and grassroots organizations that assist individuals in becoming self- sufficient and self-reliant; "(4) be sponsored by an organization, or be an organization, that— "(A) has helped combat hunger for at least 10 years; "(B) is committed to reinvesting in the United States; and "(C) is knowledgeable regarding Federal nutrition programs;
- (5) be experienced in communicating the purpose of the
clearinghouse through the media, including the radio and print media, and be able to provide access to the clearinghouse information through computer or telecommunications technology, as well as through the mails; and '(6) be able to provide examples, advice, and guidance to States, counties, cities, communities, antihunger groups, and local organizations regarding means of assisting individuals and communities to reduce reliance on government programs, reduce hunger, improve nutrition, and otherwise assist low-
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