The Capital Area Food Bank's new #HungerReport2024 shows a dramatic rise in food insecurity across the Washington region over the last year.
37% of households - nearly 1.5M people - struggled to access enough food last year: hunger-report.capitalareafoo…
Among the findings ... (1/5)
📣USDA research reveals 47.4M ppl in U.S lived in households that struggled to put food on the table in 2023. Investments in federal nutrition programs like SNAP and #schoolmeals4all are needed now. Hungry people can’t wait. Read @FRACtweets statement: frac.org/news/usdafoodsecuri…
☀️ SUN Bucks have been issued for the bulk of eligible families. If you think that you should qualify but have not received your SUN Bucks benefits, now is the time to apply (even if it's just in case).
Applications close on August 30. For more info: virginiasunbucks.com
ALT "Has your family received SUN Bucks this summer?"
☀️ Virginia SUN Bucks is a new program helping families with school-age children put food on the table. Most eligible families don't need to apply to get benefits, but 140,000 Virginia children do! 🍎
📝 Applications close August 30. Visit virginiasunbucks.com for more info.
Virginia SUN Bucks is a new program to help with food costs for school-aged children. Most children eligible to receive SUN Bucks benefits will receive them without having to fill out an application, while other families will need to apply. Learn more: VirginiaSunBucks.com
ALT Promotional graphic for Virginia Sun Bucks program. Features an adult helping a child with a meal in the kitchen, with text explaining the program provides a $120 food benefit for school-aged children's groceries. Includes Virginia Department of Social Services logo and website link for more information.
Happy 10th anniversary to the Nourishing Neighbors program! A grant from Nourishing Neighbors supports our SNAP assistance & food outreach in Northern Virginia. Thanks for including VPLC in the celebration & being partners in the fight to end hunger! 🍰🎉 #nourishingneighbors10
ALT VPLC staff stand in front of a sign with the VPLC logo and colorful folded paper wall decorations
ALT Virginia Hunger Solutions director Cassie Edner stands in front of a table with a cake and party decorations
ALT A cake on a tablecloth surrounded by party decorations. The frosting says “Happy 10th Anniversary Nourishing Neighbors”
Partners, advocates, and assisters: Enroll Virginia is hosting a webinar to review Marketplace eligibility rules, including a recent change that expands coverage options for DACA recipients and other immigrants. Hope to see you there! enroll-virginia.zoom.us/webi…
ALT "Webinar: Thursday, June 6, 11 A.M. EDT
New Health Coverage Options for DACA Recipients and Other Immigrants
REGISTER: bit.ly/dacawebinar24"
We're encouraging restaurants to sign up for the Virginia Restaurant Meals Program! VRMP makes it easier for residents who are elderly, disabled, or unhoused to have greater access to hot, prepared meals. dss.virginia.gov/vrmp/restau…
If you are the victim of an EBT scam, take action right away. You can apply for reimbursement funds if the scam occurred after October 1, 2022. More information about how to protect your benefits and report scams: dss.virginia.gov/benefit/EBT…
ALT "What should I do if my EBT funds are stolen?"
ALT "If your SNAP benefits are stolen between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2024, you can apply for reimbursement funds.
- Change your pin immediately.
- Report your benefits stolen to either the EBT Client Customer Service Helpdesk (866-281-2448) or your local DSS office.
- You will need to fill out a form sharing more details with your local DSS office within 30 days of discovering the theft."
ALT "Scammers may try to gain access to your account by posing as EBT or DSS. The real Virginia EBT and Virginia DSS will NEVER:
- Contact you via texts, emails, or phone calls to say that your account is locked or share links to access your account. VDSS will ONLY discuss your account through the official EBT Helpdesk line at 866-281-2448.
- Ask for your EBT card number online or via text. Do not respond to unsolicited texts, emails, or phone calls about your EBT account."
ALT "The Virginia Department of Social Services recommends that SNAP EBT and P-EBT cardholders:
- Do not give your EBT card, card number, password, or PIN to anyone not authorized to use your card.
- Check your EBT card balance and change your card PIN often. You can use the ConnectEBT web portal or app, or call the Helpdesk.
- Examine card payment devices for signs of tampering before inserting or swiping your card. Visit the DSS website for more information about card skimming."
Did you know SNAP recipients can get a discount to local museums and events? @LewisGinter offers a discount to SNAP recipients to attend their holiday GardenFest event. You can find other participating museums at museums4all.org/participatin…
🔥 Elevate your skills, amplify your voice, and champion the causes that matter most for youth, children, and families during the General Assembly. 📣 This is your chance to be a catalyst for positive change! Register for this week's Advocacy 101 training: vakids.org/join-us/events
600,000 young children and new parents are at risk of losing critical nutrition and food assistance from #WIC unless Congress fixes its looming funding shortfall. cbpp.org/blog/young-children…
Thanks to @Safeway Foundation's Nourishing Neighbors program for your donation to VPLC. Together, we're making a difference in the fight against hunger in our communities. @solvehungerva#NourishingNeighbors
"Anyone who renews w/in that *90-day grace period* may have their Medicaid reinstated if they’re still eligible, w/ coverage retroactively applied through date of termination"
Need help? @EnrollVirginia can help navigate renewals & other coverage options!
virginiamercury.com/2023/08/…
Use @fractweets Action Network to urge your Members of Congress to support SNAP by cosponsoring anti-hunger priority legislation to be considered in the upcoming Farm Bill. p2a.co/ZAVHRml
This year, the number of states with a #ChildTaxCredit DOUBLED– expanding from 7 to 14 states and helping families put food on the table. Congrats to CA, CO, ID, ME, MD, MA, MN, NJ, NM, NY, OK, OR, UT, & VT. @EconomicSecProj
If you are a Virginia household that was a victim to SNAP EBT scammers anytime since Oct. 1, 2022, contact your local DSS as soon as you notice missing funds. Visit dss.virginia.gov/EBTscam for more info on qualifying for replacement funds. Remember to change your PIN often.
‼️ Reminder that Cooling Assistance Applications close on August 15 ‼️
If someone in your household is age 60 or older, under age 6, or living with a disability, screen for eligibility at commonhelp.virginia.gov