Filling the SNAP Gap

Posted by on December 09, 2013

Filling the SNAP Gap

Did you know that starting November 1st, SNAP benefits (food stamps) were reduced for all families by an average of $36 monthly for a household of four? Even before the SNAP cuts, 1 in 6 Americans struggled with the reality of hunger? 900,000 people in the Delaware Valley face food insecurity?

The SNAP cuts place a huge strain on families already struggling this holiday season, and many will have to lean on their local food pantries for support.  Food pantries and other emergency meal providers are already challenged to keep up with growing need and they will be unable to meet this exponential increase in demand without wider community support.

The University of Pennsylvania is calling on you to help fill this SNAP gap during the holiday season.

That is why we are asking you to take action! We need your help “Filling the SNAP Gap.”

1. Participate in “Filling the SNAP Gap,” a virtual food drive hosted by Philabundance, the area’s largest hunger relief organization.

http://phlb.convio.net/site/TR/Events/VirtualFoodDrive?pg=entry&fr_id=1040

2. Look in your cupboard and consider starting or contributing to a food drive on campus. If you wish to start your own food drive, register with Philabundance here.

http://www.philabundance.org/take-action/food-drive/

3. In partnership with almost 600 local food pantries, SHARE provides emergency food relief to over 500,000 low-income Philadelphia neighbors each month. Support SHARE’s Filling the SNAP Gap initiative here.

http://sharefoodprogram.org/fill-the-gap/

You can make an impact. You can help provide nutritious meals to our neighbors in need this holiday season and beyond.