Dear Friends, As we continue through the holiday season, our food pantry and soup kitchens partners are serving more people this year than ever. But, our food pantry partners cannot solve the issue of hunger on their own! For every meal that a food pantry/soup kitchen provides, SNAP provides 9 meals. So this means that our work advocating for a 15% increase in SNAP (food stamp) funding, anti-hunger advocacy at the state, local and federal levels, and addressing the root causes of food insecurity are essential. We are heading into the darkest days of the year with a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and more lost jobs. Your dollars ensure that we can continue our work to connect individuals and families with the emergency food resources they need. Your dollars make a difference, now more than ever. Please visit HERE to Make a Donation Today! Please also consider taking our Fall 2020 Food Insecurity Survey to help us measure the impact that COVID-19 has had on hunger across our region! Policy and Advocacy DHS announced in a written update on Wednesday afternoon that it has changed the SNAP issuance schedule for December. It's very important for us to let SNAP clients know about this! The basic explanation is that DHS is changing the SNAP issuance schedule for December. ALL SNAP benefits for this month will be issued by December 11. - DHS has decided to speed up the schedule and to issue all Emergency Allotments in one payment (EAs are usually issued in the second half of the month). SNAP households can find their issuance date and more information on this SNAP-December Benefits Flyer. Please help spread the word and consider sharing this information on social media as well! We don't want families to be confused by the change.
- DHS is doing this out of an abundance of caution because the Continuing Resolution (CR) funding the federal government (and therefore SNAP benefits) ends Dec. 11. While Congress is expected to pass legislation and avoid a shut down, if there is any delay, it could interrupt SNAP issuance. DHS wants to make sure all PA SNAP households get their benefits during what we all know is a very difficult time.
As for the impending deadline for the CR that is keeping the federal government funded . . . We have been asking you for months to weigh in with our elected officials on the need for additional COVID-19 relief. We realize that it is incredibly frustrating that Congress - and specifically the Senate - does not appear to understand or feel compelled to act to help the millions of Americans who are suffering as the pandemic drags on. The days remaining for Congress to pass comprehensive COVID-19 relief are quickly dwindling. If no agreement is reached many key relief programs will expire by the end of the year. CBPP again has provided New Data on Hardship Underscore Continued Need for Substantial COVID Relief. Just a few examples: - Unemployment insurance. Roughly 20 million Americans will receive their last unemployment benefits Christmas week.
- Eviction moratorium and rental assistance. Many of the millions of people behind on rent could face eviction early in the new year.
- Plus, COVID-fighting aid to states and localities from the CARES Act will end.
Food Pantry & Soup Kitchens The Coalition's next Victory in Partnership (VIP) meeting will take place on Thursday, December 10th from 10am-11:30am on Zoom. If you are a food pantry or soup kitchen coordinator, please join us to learn more about fundraising with the upcoming 2021 Race Against Hunger! The VIP program supports Philadelphia area food pantries and soup kitchens through connections to food, volunteers and client resources, as well as opportunities for fundraising, grants, technical assistance and peer networking. Contact Tanya at [email protected] for a link to this VIP Zoom meeting. SNAP Hotline Our SNAP Hotline continues to experience an increase in calls. Thank you to our volunteers and SNAP Hotline Team for their tireless efforts to support individuals and families as they navigate the SNAP application process! Our SNAP Hotline operates Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at 215-430-0556. WHAT CAN YOU DO? We strive to build a community where all people have the food they need to lead healthy lives. Hunger is preventable. Thank you for your continued support of our work! The Coalition Against Hunger Team | 
