Food Stamp Campaign seeks service-learning students

Posted by on January 12, 2009

The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger is looking for volunteers to serve as Food Stamp Advocates this spring.  Food Stamp Advocates work to reduce hunger in Philadelphia through their work with the Food Stamp Enrollment Campaign. We seek to improve access to the Food Stamp Program by reducing some of the barriers commonly faced by clients in the application process. Our volunteers visit a wide variety of community sites to conduct outreach, screenings, and application assistance for potentially eligible households.

No experience is necessary; training will be provided! Opportunities for further involvement in our education and advocacy efforts may be available.

Specifically, volunteers’ tasks will include:
– Provide information to low-income families about the Food Stamp Program through outreach at one of the Coalition’s outreach sites
– Screen low-income families to assess eligibility for food stamps and estimate benefit level
– Assist interested clients in applying either with a paper application or using the online application
– Advise clients about required documentation and provide additional assistance to those without this documentation
– Advocate for clients who encounter problems in the application process by working with Department of Public Welfare staff to identify and resolve issues
– Optional work with other Coalition events and activities, including the Walk Against Hunger
– Work at least two hours each week, during business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm)

Training provided:
– Volunteers must attend two two-hour training sessions.
– Part 1 of the training will cover a background of the Food Stamp Enrollment Campaign; Rules and Regulations of the Food Stamp Program; and How to Conduct Outreach and Screenings. Part 2 of the training will cover How to Help a Client Apply for Food Stamps using COMPASS, the online application system.

Qualifications:
– Strong communication skills and interpersonal skills are necessary
– Spanish and other language abilities are a plus

Training dates are as follows:

PART I: Tuesday, January 27th from 7 to 9pm

PART II: Thursday, January 29th from 7 to 9pm

OR

PART I: Monday, February 2nd from 4:30 to 6:30pm

PART II: Wednesday, February 4th from 4:30 to 6:30pm

If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering, please contact Anna Kastner (akastner@hungercoalition.org) for more information.