Continuing our work Dear Friends, We continue our work to connect individuals and families to the food resources they need. This week we worked in the following ways to address food insecurity across the region. . . - On our Advocacy and Policy front, we continue to work with partners to explore all additional ways to press USDA to extend waivers so that children can access meals as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced schools to start the 2020-21 academic year with hybrid and remote learning plans. We want to extend sincere thanks to the Wolf administration for adding its voice to the chorus of those from around the country calling for urgent action. PA Secretary of Agriculture Redding and PA Secretary of Education Rivera not only sent this letter to Secretary Perdue, but Secretary Redding also joined with DHS Secretary Teresa Miller, and DOE Executive Deputy Secretary Pam Smith in holding a media-only WebEx conference to highlight the urgent need for USDA to ensure Pennsylvania children have access to meals. Each day that USDA fails to act puts us closer to more children going hungry.
In addition, earlier this week we got both good and bad news from DHS. On the positive side: - We know thousands of families have been impacted by significant delays in receiving their P-EBT benefits. We have been working to inform DHS of problem cases and are happy to report that DHS is adding staff to help process the P-EBT backlog.
On the negative side: - DHS has reported that it is hearing about wide-spread mail delays in the United States Postal Service (USPS) system. With County Assistance Offices (CAO, or, “welfare office”) remaining closed, mail delays can significantly impact client receipt of important notices and renewal packets, as well as cause documents clients are submitting to arrive at DHS past required deadlines. DHS is encouraging clients to use 1) the online COMPASS portal to apply for and maintain benefits; 2) the myCOMPASS PA mobile app for semi-annual renewals and document submission (free to download for Apple and Android devices); as well as 3) drop boxes for documents that are available at most CAOs. The Coalition is working on a COMPASS Guide that will soon be ready, and of course, these mail delays also make the Coalition SNAP hotline (215-430-0556) as important as ever!
- Outreach and Education has been at work presenting our resources to community members virtually! This month, we participated in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office Job & Resource Hub. Hear Community Educator Katie talk about our important resources at the 2 hour and 14 minute mark, or watch the entire broadcast to learn about jobs and resources that are helping community members respond to COVID-19!
- Our SNAP Hotline team continues to answer questions and help households navigate the SNAP application process through our SNAP Hotline at 215-430-0556, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We continue to see a slow increase in calls to our SNAP Hotline. Thank you to our SNAP Hotline Volunteers who have jumped back into helping us with calls!
- One of the ways we support our local Food Pantry and Soup Kitchens is through our proud support of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s (PHS) Harvest 2020. PHS is calling on thousands of people to grow food for themselves and to give to others including local food pantries this harvest season. Get started with #PHSHarvest2020 today ⇾https://bit.ly/2DSViSu.
VIP (Victory in Partnership) Program STORY
During a recent conversation with our food pantry and soup kitchen VIP members we asked for their feedback on our work at the Coalition. Here is what one VIP member said, “I also inherited the program. One person retired and the person before me...passed away and I was clueless. I got a big help from Tanya and brother Derek. It started with the Race Against Hunger...I inherited it and learned how to head it up. With the meetings, I was taught what the food program is supposed to be, and how to run it better.” She went on to say that their “program is usually for older people, so it’s been a tremendous help to me to know that I have help, it’s never an issue to get some instruction and conversation...and the door’s always open if I have any other questions. I still don’t know everything. I really appreciate you guys because I didn’t know what I was doing, but I didn’t want our program to fall through the cracks. And I’ve been able to do it because of you all.” This is our VIP Program in action! WHAT CAN YOU DO? Thank you for your continuing support of our work to connect individuals and families to the food resources they need! -The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger | |
