Hunger-Free Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has purchased an additional 7.9 million pounds of emergency food from the federal government. The food, valued at $12.9 million, will be delivered between June and December of this year, according to Secretary Russell Redding: https://www.penncapital-star.com//pa-to-distribute-7-9m-l/

With food banks facing continuous increases in demand, we must keep a spotlight on state budget funding increases. Read more from Sheila Christopher, executive director, on the HFPA blog: https://www.hungerfreepa.org//inquirer-food-banks-facing-u.

In case you missed the BIG announcement, the USDA announced it will provide $1 billion per month in additional assistance nationwide to 25 million people in the lowest income SNAP households. 90.5 WESA has more: https://bit.ly/3dsersl.

College students especially need support systems to make sure they can afford basic necessities like food and not face barriers to graduating. Many students surveyed revealed they haven't applied for support programs like SNAP benefits because they did not know how. Read more from WITF: https://www.witf.org//college-students-in-pennsylvania-ar/.

In case you missed it: Pittsburgh Magazine named Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank's CEO Lisa Scales as Pittsburgher of the Year! Well deserved, Lisa! https://bit.ly/3sT4QSp

Great photos and an exciting opportunity for #MLKDayofService! Read more about yesterday's #MLKDay event in the PhillyVoice: https://bit.ly/3sFCL0M.

Earlier today as part of the virtual Pennsylvania Farm Show, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture hosted a ‘Feeding Pennsylvanians, Reducing Waste’ panel discussion on food security and its environmental impacts on Pennsylvania. Learn more and watch the panel discussion here: http://bit.ly/3suqpZq.

Do you want to help Pennsylvania’s food banks during this time of unprecedented demand? Take a second to ask lawmakers to increase funding for Pennsylvania’s 2 food security programs: https://bit.ly/3o7JYDK. Since the start of the pandemic in mid-March of last year, nearly 600,000 additional Pennsylvanians have found themselves uncertain of where their next meal will come from. This is an increase of 41 percent in food insecurity. How can you help? Please TAKE ACTION today an...d send a quick message urging funding increases for Pennsylvania's two food security programs: $24 million for the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) and $5 million the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) in FY 2021 -2022 budget recommendation. Families across Pennsylvania are depending on us for their next meal. We’re relying on your support to make it happen. TAKE ACTION TODAY!!! https://bit.ly/3o7JYDK. See more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced another round of the #FarmerstoFamilies Food Box Program. The USDA will again purchase combination boxes that include fresh produce, dairy products, fluid milk, and meat products, and seafood products will also be included in this round. Read more: https://bit.ly/399b8UO.

Federal judge shuts down Trump administration’s plan to cut food stamps for 700,000 unemployed Americans: https://bit.ly/2TdGQca via PennLive.com

LET'S VOTE, PA! Visit our link and you can quickly do any of the following: 1. Check if you are registered to vote 2. Register to vote (last day to register: Oct. 19) 3. Request a mail-in-ballot (deadline to request: Oct. 27) 4. Get an election reminder ... Visit https://bit.ly/3iXprPO today and please share with others. See more

It’s not too late to participate in the 2020 Census! TODAY is the deadline to respond online, by phone or mail. HELP US count all Pennsylvanians by taking the 2020 Census today: https://bit.ly/2xqs9Lx

Enrollment for SNAP statewide has increased by 105,624 people since February, for a total enrollment of about 1,843,083 in August a 6% increase. Pa. announces new income limits for SNAP benefits: https://bit.ly/3n2YMUp via WKBN 27 Youngstown OH

The Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County has hired a new Executive Director to fill the position of retiring Director, Lori Weston. Rebecca Page officially begins her new leadership role with CFWMC TODAY! Congrats, Becky! HFPA looks forward to working with you in your new role. More in the Sharon Herald: https://bit.ly/3jdiwlU.

Member food bank Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County is bidding farewell to a staple in our food bank community. Hunger-Free Pennsylvania would like to congratulate Lori Weston, who served the CFWMC for nearly 36 years in two roles. After 20 years as an Administrative Assistant, Lori then became Executive Director. Please join us in thanking and congratulating Lori on her well-deserved retirement! ... You can read more in CFWMC's special update: https://bit.ly/3jh7exd. See more

During #HungerActionMonth, it's important to address nutrition, along with the many challenges seniors face on a daily basis. The National Institute on Aging - NIH has so many great resources for our senior population! Here are some suggestions for overcoming roadblocks that can make it harder for older people to follow through on smart food choices: https://bit.ly/3623SKo.

Right now, food bank staff and volunteers are on the front lines helping millions of families during the pandemic. They're working around the clock to keep food banks, pantries, and meal programs running because they know that food on the table means so much more than just a meal it is hope. During #HungerActionMonth, why not take a minute to submit a quick 'thank you' to these heroes who are feeding our neighbors for your dedication, courage and sacrifice. Feeding America offers an easy online card for you to sign here: https://bit.ly/2D17LDo

Today, Hunger-Free Pennsylvania is the state’s largest nonprofit provider of food resources for hungry families and one of the state’s leading advocates in the fight against hunger. HFPA is the single largest provider of meals to older Pennsylvanians and needy seniors. Our statewide network of 18 food banks serves all 67 counties in the year-round battle to ensure a hunger-free Pennsylvania. Learn more about our work during #HungerActionMonth: https://bit.ly/3mqBK9P.

In addition to offering fair representation, did you know HOW MUCH is at stake if census data isn't complete? Census data are used to decide how $675 billion in federal public funding is spent every year. Pennsylvania gets $26.8 billion annually through our 16 largest federally-funded programs. That’s about $2,000 per Pennsylvanian each year. These numbers may change based on our 2020 Census data. Federal funding supports many important programs and services for Pennsylvanians, including in healthcare, food security, education, transportation, housing, community development, support for families, and more. If you haven't already, TAKE THE CENSUS TODAY, and share to remind your friends: YOUR RESPONSE MATTERS - https://bit.ly/2FGg2hD!

Who is this masked man sporting orange for #HungerActionMonth? It's our very own Sheila Christopher's husband Dave delivering CSFP food boxes in Washington County, Pa. Our dedicated volunteers look forward to visiting the seniors on their monthly delivery routes. DID YOU KNOW July 2020 served a record number of Pennsylvanians at our member food banks? That includes: 3,247,780 boxes 24,088,008 pounds... 1,383,842 people Visit our website for a list of CSFP locations: https://bit.ly/3mqBK9P.

Earlier this week, Pa. First Lady Frances Wolf joined 17 other first spouses with letters urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture and federal leaders to extend child food services. The continuation of these waivers will help alleviate confusion for families, eliminate excessive administrative burdens placed on staff and, ultimately, ensure that all children have enough to eat. Read more on TribLive: https://bit.ly/2FZ1Fom