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October Newsletter
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In this month's newsletter:
1. Hunger Free America in the News
2. Fighting for School Meals
3. Veterans Day Volunteer Event
4. Hunger Hotline
5. Action Alert
6. Hunger Fighter Resources


** Hunger Free America in the News
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As you may know, SNAP recipients are currently prohibited from using their federal benefits to purchase "hot foods," including rotisserie chickens from grocery stories. As our CEO Joel Berg told the Philadelphia Inquirer, “it’s based on the racist, classist assumption that no one getting SNAP benefits should have the ‘luxury’ to eat hot food."

The article focuses on two University of Pennsylvania graduates, who are "creating a first-of-its-kind system to legally circumvent federal rules." HFA has long been a staunch advocate for removing the outdated and discriminatory "hot foods" prohibition.
Read the Full Article ([link removed])
Donate to Our Efforts ([link removed])


** Fighting for School Meals
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[link removed]

Last month we were proud to join U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer, as well as local educators, school administrators, education advocates, and local leaders in New Jersey to sound the alarm on the devastating impact a government shutdown would have on school children throughout the state.

In New Jersey, about 400,000 ([link removed]) children receive free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch, and nationwide, nearly 30 million ([link removed]*:*:text=Quick*20Facts*3A,the*202020**B2021*20school*20year__;I34lJSXigJMlJQ!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!IWDgFA1hnzUwJy0phbCIBDKqAv9R-X9WKhGf--JHcq-nJBS5k_CvGa9bZCWE3dpv1JQmw96mpfuVNQwz0_q_Nlz-AA$?mc_cid=b7b273d67c&mc_eid=UNIQID) children participate in the National School Lunch Program — 10.1 million more children than before the pandemic.
Watch Video of the Press Conference ([link removed])


** Veterans Day Volunteer Event
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Hunger Free America operates the USDA Hunger Hotline, an essential resource providing information to people in need on their local food banks, pantries, and SNAP/WIC offices. As volunteers participating in this virtual group opportunity, you will place calls to food pantries, soup kitchens, and SNAP/WIC offices across the country to verify and update existing data in our National Database. The HFA team will provide an introduction and training for the task, and support participants throughout the session. Participants need access to a computer and phone
Register Here ([link removed])
Learn More About the Strategic Volunteerism Program ([link removed])


** Hunger Hotline
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The Hunger Hotline, which Hunger Free America operates on behalf of USDA, receives thousands of calls every month. In August, half of the callers were given information about SNAP, and over 75% of callers were connected to either a local food pantry or food bank.

If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance, please call our Hunger Hotline! Our representatives are available Monday-Friday 7AM - 10PM: 866-348-6479 (English) or 877-842-6273 (Spanish).


** Action Alert
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Over the weekend, the US Congress passed a stopgap bill aimed at avoiding a government shutdown. The bill, however, only funds the government for 45 days, which means that in less than 2 months we'll be right back where we started unless the House and Senate can pass a year-end spending bill.

Will you take a moment to ask Congress to fully fund WIC and agree to no SNAP cuts in year-end budget deal?

Call or email you local Rep and Senator and make sure they know that SNAP and WIC funding must be a priority.
Find Your Local Reps ([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 (mailto:[email protected]) for more information.

* Want to make a difference? Check out Volunteer resources on our website ([link removed]) .

Support Hunger Free America ([link removed])

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