USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse Newsletter May 2020
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
Follow USDA NHC Instagram ([link removed][UNIQID])
Follow USDA NHC Twitter ([link removed][UNIQID])
Visit USDA NHC Online ([link removed][UNIQID])
DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION OFFER EMERGENCY FOOD AID IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19? CLICK HERE ([link removed][UNIQID])
[link removed][UNIQID]
** USDA NATIONAL HUNGER CLEARINGHOUSE NEWSLETTER
------------------------------------------------------------
THE USDA NATIONAL HUNGER CLEARINGHOUSE IS OPERATED BY HUNGER FREE AMERICA
MAY 2020
** SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot
------------------------------------------------------------
The spread of COVID-19 is responsible for a surge in online grocery shopping across the country. With Americans being advised to stay home and practice social distancing, grocery deliveries have become an alternative way to obtain food for the household. For many American families who currently are SNAP recipients, online grocery shopping has not always been an option.
“People who receive SNAP benefits should have the opportunity to shop for food the same way more and more Americans shop for food – by ordering and paying for groceries online. As technology advances, it is important for SNAP to advance too, so we can ensure the same shopping options are available for both non-SNAP and SNAP recipients,” -Secretary Perdue said.
The 2014 Farm Bill authorized USDA to conduct and evaluate a pilot for online purchasing prior to national implementation. USDA launched the pilot program in a limited number of states to work through some of the challenges due to technical obstacles associated with online purchases using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). The pilot phase is intended to ensure online transactions are processed safely and securely. SNAP participants in approved states will be able to use their benefits to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers such as Walmart and Amazon but will not be able to use SNAP benefits to pay for service or delivery charges.
States that currently participate in the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot include:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Alabama
Arizona
California
District of Columbia
Florida
Idaho
Iowa
Kentucky
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Missouri
Nebraska
New York
North Carolina
Oregon
Texas
Washington
Visit Online ([link removed][UNIQID]) for more information and for updates on additional states that are in the planning phase of adopting the online purchasing as a shopping option in their state in the coming months.
[link removed][UNIQID]
Help Us Grow Our Resource List ([link removed][UNIQID])
** BEST PRACTICES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY
------------------------------------------------------------
Each month, Hunger Free America highlights anti-hunger best practices by groups across the country. This month we will highlight the work of Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc. based out of Springfield,MA.
Founded in 1972, Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining a quality of life for older adults, caregivers, and persons with disabilities. Offering information on money management, meals on wheels , adult care and and a variety of other services, and support resources needed to enhance the well-being and independence of consumers they serve.
As of May 1, 2020, Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc. has partnered with various agencies such as Pioneer Valley Tranusit Authority ([link removed][UNIQID]) and community partners to provide “Grab N Go” Lunches for area residents over the age of 60 who are mobile and social distancing due to the coronavirus. Currently GSSSI Grab N’ Go” lunches will be provided at six senior center sites in the region.
How it Works:
1. Make a reservation. Click on the Grab'n Go schedule ([link removed][UNIQID]) here for locations and reservation phone numbers.
2. Grab'n Go participants arrive at a Grab'n Go site.
3. Individuals who reserved a meal get checked in by a GSSSI staff member. Check-in is conducted utilizing safe social distancing techniques.
4. Checked-in individuals will receive their meal while in their vehicle or in-person through a safe and socially distant appropriate exchange.
5. Interested individuals will be asked if they would like to make a reservation for future meals.
To Learn about Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc. programs and services visit online ([link removed][UNIQID])
WHAT IS THE USDA NATIONAL HUNGER CLEARINGHOUSE?
USDA National Hunger Hotline is a great resource for people seeking food assistance such as food pantries, soup kitchens, SNAP, summer meals, and a number of other food resources.
WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION?
Monday thru Friday 7 am - 10 pm Eastern Standard Time, Please be advised assistance is available in English or Spanish.
CAN I APPLY FOR OR RE-CERTIFY FOR SNAP BY CALLING THE HOTLINE?
Please be advised we do not have access to individual SNAP account information, we do have the ability to connect callers with their state hotline where they can request specific account information and obtain further instruction on ways to apply for SNAP.
or
To locate your SNAP State Hotline number text the word "SNAP" to 9-7-7-7-9
To locate your EBT Customer Service number text the word "EBT" to 9-7-7-7-9
IF YOU ARE AN EMERGENCY FOOD PROVIDER AND WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE DATABASE, CLICK HERE ([link removed][UNIQID])
The hotline can be reached at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) (for Spanish), from Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.
** USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse
------------------------------------------------------------
** Hunger Free America is currently operating the USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse database as well as the USDA National Hunger Hotline as well as USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse database. The USDA National Hunger Hotline is a great resource for people seeking food assistance. Anyone can call between the hours of 7 AM and 10 PM EST, to speak with a representative about the food resources near them in English or Spanish.
------------------------------------------------------------
**
------------------------------------------------------------
** Anti-Hunger Grants
------------------------------------------------------------
** Hunger is, an anti-hunger program funded by the Albertsons companies foundation and the entertainment industry foundation, has awarded over 4.6 million dollars in grants within the past year to assist organizations seeking to join them in ending childhood hunger. Hunger Free America is proud to be a partner in their initiative to secure free school breakfast meals for all school-aged students. Their work has been instrumental in diminishing hunger nation-wide. For information on how to be a part of this upcoming year's round of funding, click here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
The Kellogg foundation accepts healthy kids and community/civic engagement grant applications throughout the year with no submission deadline. To apply online,
click here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
The Walmart foundation issues a variety of grants to organizations seeking additional funding, through its giving program. Grant applications for national-level organizations are available year-round, and applications for community impact grants can be submitted until December 31st. For more information on how to apply,
click here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
------------------------------------------------------------
============================================================
Copyright © 2018 Hunger Free America, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
50 Broad Street Suite 1103
New York, NY 10004
Want to change how you receive these emails?
** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
