Policy and Advocacy

Thanks to research by our friends on the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, we know that far too many students face challenges in meeting their basic needs even during “normal” times. The pandemic has made things far worse. That is why we are so happy to share this flyer that explains the details about the temporary SNAP eligibility expansion that will allow more college students to access SNAP benefits. Please help us spread the word to college students who are struggling to afford food.

We have long believed that SNAP rules applying to college students are too restrictive as the cost of college has skyrocketed while the need for post-secondary education to secure living wage employment in today’s economy has grown. Along with many anti-hunger advocates across the country, we will continue to press for more permanent changes so that SNAP can continue to serve more low-income college students in the future!

Speaking of making SNAP more responsive in the future, congressional leaders who recognize the urgent need for additional COVID relief are putting together a legislative package that is expected to include key provisions to address both widespread hardship and the state and local fiscal crisis. We need to educate our federal elected officials, as well as our family and friends who have largely been insulated from hardship, to recognize much more needs to be done to address the magnitude of this health and economic impact of the pandemic. Here are a few points that may help people recognize that the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis is truly bigger than any other we’ve seen in our lifetimes:

• States and localities have already cut more than 1.4 million jobs — nearly double the number of jobs lost in the 2008-09 Great Recession — and will likely have to make more cuts in core services if they don’t get additional federal funds. 
• The latest jobs report shows that the jobs recovery is still a long way off. Additional relief is needed to prevent a longer and deeper recession and avoid further delay in rebuilding our communities.
• Experts and policymakers now say the U.S. didn’t do enough in 2008 to help working people and state governments — and that led to a deeper, longer recession. It also undermined the long-term growth of our economy.
• You can also see more specifically about the nutrition assistance provisions included in two bills that moved forward this week in this CBPP blog post.

Lastly, the federal pandemic unemployment assistance that Congress passed at the end of December is set to expire next month. With 11.4 Million Workers Facing Jobless Benefit Cliff Starting March 14, time is of the essence for Congress to pass a comprehensive bill that provides additional help for struggling families! 

The Race Against Hunger’s Early Bird Rate ENDS ON FEBRUARY 15th!

REGISTER TODAY WITH PROMO CODE: RAH5 AND RECEIVE $5 OFF YOUR RUN/WALK RACE AGAINST HUNGER TICKETS! Excludes Youth 5K Walk. The registration fee will go up to $30 starting on February 16th. Visit our Race registration page HERE to receive your discount.

This year's Virtual Race Against Hunger 5K Run/Walk will be a socially distant event running from Friday, April 16, 2021 - Monday, April 26, 2021. Safely run/walk the distance against food insecurity on a certified 5K along Kelly Drive starting at Boathouse Row or from your own neighborhood! 

Please visit www.phillyhungerrace.com for details on how you can support the Race Against Hunger.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?  

• Sign up to receive our up to date Advocacy Alerts.
• Make a donation or Become a Monthly Donor to support our work.

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

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