May Newsletter
In this month's newsletter:
1. Mental Health Awareness Month
2. Whitley's Incredible Testimony
3. The Jersey City Marathon
4. Farm Bill Advocacy
5. Join Us at Our Spring Gala on May 11th!
6. Hunger Fighter Resources
Mental Health Awareness Month
In a study by BMC Health in 2021, food insecurity was associated with a 257% higher risk of anxiety and a 253% higher risk of depression. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and there is no denying the impact of hunger on the mental health of the individuals and families it affects.

Find free food near you by calling the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 866-3-HUNGRY (866-348-6479) or 877-8-HAMBRE

Resources on Our Website ([link removed])
Mental Health Hotline ([link removed])

Whitley's Incredible Testimony
Whitley Hast in yellow shirt, black jacket and glasses sitting at a table
Whitley Hasty is an Outreach Specialist for Foodlink, a food bank based in Rochester New York, and Hunger Free America. On Wednesday, April 19, Whitely testified before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to display support for SNAP and other Nutrition Assistance on the Farm Bill. Click the link below to watch her powerful, personal story on hunger.

"My life refutes the most common SNAP myth; receiving benefits was never a deterrent for me to work. I continually worked or sought work while receiving SNAP, and that is true of most SNAP recipients."

Watch the Testimony ([link removed])

The Jersey City Marathon
Three women standing in front of a banner that reads Jersey City Marathon
Hunger Free America staffers at the Jersey City Marathon
The Jersey City Marathon was a huge success this past Sunday! Despite the rain, there were over 6,000 runners from 28 countries and 38 states. HFA recruited over 60 volunteers for the weekend. We were so proud to be an official nonprofit partner of the event.

We are also excited to be an official partner of the TCS NYC Marathon this November! Follow HFA's social media at the links below to stay tuned as we introduce our fantastic runners!
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Farm Bill Advocacy
As Congress debates the Farm Bill this year, which is responsible for most major domestic hunger programs, we urge you to support SNAP funding, as well as all of HFA's Farm Bill Priorities ([link removed]) .
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - formerly called the Food Stamp program) is budgeted to spend $147 billion this year, dwarfing the role of charity in fighting hunger. Sign our petition to support HFA's Farm Bill priorities.
Sign Our Petition ([link removed])
Join Us at Our Spring Gala on May 11th!
Image of Spring Gala invitation
For 40 years, Hunger Free America has been a tireless champion in the fight for economic, racial, and food justice. Our 2023 Spring Benefit will be held on May 11th from 6-9 pm at The View at The Battery in New York City. We hope you'll join us!
Learn More and Purchase Tickets ([link removed])
Hunger Fighter Resources
* Do you run a food pantry or other feeding program? Make sure you're in our online database ([link removed]) ! Contact our Data Director, Angelica, at [email protected] ([link removed]) for more information.
* Want to make a difference? Check out Volunteer resources on our website ([link removed]) .

Make a Donation ([link removed])

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