Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
FOOD SECURITY AND RESOURCES
Amber Book, MSW, SNAP Advocate
Food assistance programs overview
Before we start, consider….
Do we eat food beyond nutrition?
Do we use food for comfort or to express love?
How many of your special memories involve food?
How can not having enough to eat impact your connection to your community?
When you don’t have enough…
The SW PA Food Security Partnership
About Us Initiative of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food
Bank We work to reduce hunger in 12 counties by:
Increasing participation in Federal food programs
Supporting community led efforts to improve food security
Developing collaboration s between organizations
What are YOU guys doing here?
We work closely with ICCAP to provide Indiana County Residents the food resources they need.
GPCFB covers 11 counties:
So what is Food Security? Food security means access by all people at all times to enough food for
an active, healthy life.
Habits of Food Secure Individuals
They are: • Eating 3 meals a day• Able to afford their
utilities/rent, medical treatment AND buy food for the month.
• Aren’t worrying about “stretching out a meal” or making it last longer
• Making healthy choices at the grocery store
• Eating food that is safe • Able to cook a meal and
share with friends and neighbors
The Problem with Food Insecurity is:
Health issues Education/Employment Issues
People who skip meals or don’t eat enough experience: •Fatigue•Weakness•Headaches•Shakiness•Inability to focus
Food Pantries are limited and don’t always have healthy options People on a budget tend to buy unhealthy food because its cheaperSkipping meals and unhealthy eating can lead to…..
OBESITY and Health issues
OMG, what can be done!?!
But what can be done?
What are their options?
Is there anything I can do?
The Options…. Find a local Food Pantry SNAP (AKA Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program, AKA Food Stamps)
Monthly Senior Food Box Grow their own Extreme Couponing
Food Pantries Must go to the one that coincides with physical addressMeet the income guidelines: 130% below the poverty line Participants can expect: Canned food, boxed food, pasta, bread, some produce, etc…
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or Food Stamps)
Lots of stigma Lots of myths Its actually helpful to a lot of people Income guidelines Asset Limits
The Stigma and Myths of SNAP
What are some of the things that you have heard about SNAP?
How does one qualify?
PA and their pesky asset limit
What qualifies as an asset? More than one car Excessive Financial Holdings Owns non-residential Property
A SNAP Advocate…
…provides one-on-one Food Stamp
application assistance in
order to make the program more
accessible.
Ways SNAP Advocates help
Working to reduce stigma around the Food Stamp program
Collaborating with other service providers
Increasing awareness Connecting people to other resources Facilitating the application process
YEAH!
Cool!
NEATO!
AMA-
ZING!
Seedling Distribution A way to help individuals take control of
their food source Empowers Educates Invigorates
Senior Box Distribution A federally funded nutrition
program that provides a monthly distribution to elderly persons at least 60 years of age who meet income eligibility requirements
(same as the food Pantries) Services are limited
ANY QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU...
Feel free to contact us any time:
Amber Book,SNAP Advocate
…for your time and dedication
to ending hunger in Indiana County
