PAVOAD Organizations Support Communities During the Food Insecurity Crisis

Great news!  SNAP benefits that are owed to date are being issued to recipients’ cards.  It is also anticipated the rest of the month’s benefits will be issued in full, on the usual issuance dates, per official communication from the USDA.

You can stay up-to-date at these sites – governor’s newsroom  and  www.dhs.pa.gov/snap.

PAVOAD is working with state agencies and Feeding PA and Hunger Free PA, which are the hub of the charitable food system, supporting thousands of local food pantries.

 

It is important to remember that:

• Pennsylvania has 2 million SNAP recipients. Most are children, older adults, or people with disabilities
• $366 million is distributed in monthly benefits
• 10,000 retailers accept SNAP
• Local social service agency operations/programs are also impacted in some cases by the state budget impasse
• 60,000 federal employees in Pennsylvania may be newly dependent on food assistance
• There are no known disruptions to WIC or school feeding programs (universal free breakfast, free/reduced school lunch). Some local food assistance programs for older adults may be seeing impacts to capacity due to the budget impasses, but additional information is needed
• The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) start has been delayed until December 3 due to the federal budget impasse. The funding could be delayed again, so check the PA Dept of Human Services’ website for updates

These resources might be helpful:

• SNAP data by county: interactive map
• SNAP info from PADHS including FAQ on the shutdown and SNAP pause: www.dhs.pa.gov/snap
• For retailers/business partners: PA Food Merchants Association SNAP page
• Where the public can find help or get info about programs in their communities:
  • PA 211 (text/web for faster service due to high call volume)
  • PA NAVIGATE
  • Feeding Pennsylvania

What VOADs and COADs can do:

• Be cautious about outreach to charitable feeding partners with which your organization is not currently engaged as they are completely slammed
• Check in with existing partners and help monitor for unmet needs. Monitor their websites and social media for current needs.
  • Volunteer needs
  • Last mile transportation for individuals to get food assistance
  • Wrap around for distribution sites including refrigeration
  • Disruptions to other food assistance programs
• Let PEMA know about any unmet needs or other major efforts such as large financial contributions or large pop-up distributions (No need to share about food drives) – email PAVAL@pa.gov
• Is the local senior center or food pantry providing updates?
• Does your municipality’s website share information on community needs?
• Is there a community bulletin board—physical or electronic—kept up to date (library, recreation center, etc.)?
• Can your organization help people connect to food assistance by sharing updates, resources, and the key documents needed to apply for support through PA DHS.
• Amplify local food bank/pantry messaging – cash contributions are best, food donations are good too, most needed items, where to donate

If your organization is active in this situation we ask that you complete and submit regular Situation Reports. You can either use the space provided on the form to report your current efforts in response to the ongoing food insecurity crisis or you can upload a link to your organizational daily sitrep, if you already have one. NVOAD is also monitoring the impacts of the SNAP benefits expiration.  Send your sitreps to PAVOAD and we will post them to NVOAD.  Thanks.