Logos
(Click on image for full size.)
Staff
(Click on image for full size.)
 |
Alexandra Ashbrook, Director of Special Projects and Initiatives |
 |
Crystal FitzSimons, Director of School and Out-of-School Time Programs |
 |
Geri Henchy, Director of Nutrition Policy and Early Childhood Programs |
 |
Ellen Teller, Director of Government Affairs |
 |
Ellen Vollinger, Legal/Food Stamp Director |
 |
Beverley Wheeler, Director, D.C. Hunger Solutions |
 |
Michael J. Wilson, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions |
On October 1, low-income households will experience a huge upgrade in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which originally was named the Food Stamp Program. At that time, average SNAP food aid to impoverished households will increase by approximately 27 percent above pre-pandemic levels. It is the most significant enhancement of the program in more than four decades.This improvement is long overdue. Indeed, efforts to secure a comparable increase in program benefits were initiated, through litigation, literally 50 years ago.
The September 30 community eligibility deadline is fast approaching. The Community Eligibility Provision allows high-poverty schools and districts to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students based on the number of students automatically eligible for free school meals. Eligible schools and school districts need to act quickly to lock in Healthy School Meals for All across four school years.
On Thursday, September 9, 2021, the House Committee on Education and Labor will mark up its portion of the Build Back Better Act, which includes nearly $35 billion in funding for the Child Nutrition Programs. These critical investments will allow the nation to build back better, ensuring children have access to the nutrition they need year-round and helping overcome the educational, health, and economic impacts of the pandemic.