One Page Civil Rights

Please use the one page Civil Rights training for volunteers you know won’t be regular volunteers. Have  them read the sheet and sign and date a sign in sheet. Keep copies of the sign in sheet at your agency.  

Know your clients’ civil rights  

Thank you for your partnership in the fight against hunger. You are making a difference in the lives of those  in need in our community who need assistance to keep nourishing food on the table. The Houston Food  Bank is grateful that our volunteers serve each client with the dignity they deserve. We are required by the  U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that all agency clients are informed and aware of their  civil rights while they are being served. You can be our eyes and ears by helping us identify any instances in  which a client is subject to harassment or discrimination. The Houston Food Bank will not tolerate  harassment or discrimination by any individual. 

What is discrimination? Discrimination is the practice of unfairly treating a person or group of people  differently from other people or groups of people. USDA prohibits discrimination based on these things:

Non-Discrimination Statement (rev 1/2021)

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations  and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or  administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex,  religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any  program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g.,  Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where  they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact  USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made  available in languages other than English. 

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,  (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to  USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the  complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442

3. email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.