USDA Answers Questions Regarding COVID-19; SFSP; SSO; and Meal Delivery Using Existing Authority
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has prepared this document in response to COVID-19 as it relates to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and Meal Delivery Using Existing Authority. Question and Answer 1. Can schools that have been approved for non-congregate feeding through SFSP
Pennsylvania’s Charitable Food Network Responding to Virus: Food Banks Remain Open to Serve, But Need Community Help & Support
With the continuing spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) nationally and daily changes taking place across the commonwealth, Pennsylvania’s charitable food network has been adopting new policies and practices to ensure the good health and safety of its clients, partners, volunteers, staff and supporters, as member agencies are on the
ELCA Publishes Civic Engagement Guide
The ELCA has published a Civic Engagement Guide. The resource guide is designed to encourage, empower and equip voter education and other responsible civic participation shaped by faith values. Civic engagement, according to a frequently referenced definition, means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities
PA Improving, But Still Lagging In School Breakfast Participation
Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for growth in the number of students participating in the free and reduced-price school breakfasts, feeding more than 362,000 students in the 2018-19 school year, according to a recently released report by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). With only 52.6 percent of
PA Department of Education Seeks Sponsors for Summer Meals and Nutrition Programs
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is seeking organizations across the state to help provide nutritious meals to children in low-income areas during the summer months through PDE’s Summer Food Service Program. Participating organizations must be year-round, not-for-profit entities, which include schools, local, municipal, or county governments, libraries, churches, fire
PA Department of Education Announces School Breakfast Cafeteria Upgrade Grant Recipients
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced more than $925,000 in competitive grants have been awarded to 72 elementary, middle and high schools across the state for the purchase of new food service equipment for cafeterias. Funding for the grants is made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and
LAMPa Policy Council Sets 2020 Priorities and Elects Officers
LAMPa's Policy Council met on December 5, 2019 and adopted a broad agenda that encourages disciples to act where they are called, lifting their ministry context, lived experiences, vocations and gifts for public witness. Alleviating hunger, protecting all of creation, especially the most vulnerable, and addressing poverty and its root
Grant Opportunity for Pennsylvania Schools Expanding School Breakfast Participation
Grants are available to support schools with the purchase of approved equipment, materials and initiatives facilitating alternative breakfast delivery models, such as breakfast in the classroom, grab and go, or second chance breakfast, in an effort to increase student participation in school breakfast. All schools implementing or prepared to implement
Annual Food Security Summit Focuses on College Hunger
Governor Wolf's Annual Pennsylvania Food Security Summit was held recently in Harrisburg to update stakeholders, advocates, and federal partners about Pennsylvania’s progress with the Blueprint for a Hunger-Free PA to address food insecurity and discuss work to combat hunger around Pennsylvania. Presentations regarding hunger in Pennsylvania were shared by the
Pennsylvania One of 10 States in the U.S. With Increased Number of Children Living in Concentrated Poverty
Twelve percent of children in Pennsylvania live in concentrated poverty according to “Children Living in High Poverty, Low-Opportunity Neighborhoods,” a new KIDS COUNT® data snapshot released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Using the latest data available from the U.S. Census Bureau, the snapshot examines where concentrated poverty has worsened
