Hunger Free America

Join us for activities for our 9/11 Week of Service to help end hunger, during national Hunger Action Month! There are virtual and in-person opportunities available with Hunger Free America and our partners nationally: https://tinyurl.com/911-weekofservice

Hunger Free America CEO Joel Berg said, “Summer EBT is a win-win for the people of New York. It will reduce child hunger while boosting our food economy. We thank Governor Hochul and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance for so aggressively promoting and implementing this vital initiative.”

Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $200 Million in Food Assistance Going to 1.5 Million Children Across New York Governor Hochul announced nearly $200 million — $120 per eligible child — as part of the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program.

Farmers markets are important for food access! According to the USDA, since 2017, farmers market and direct marketing farmer redemptions of SNAP have increased by 162 percent. Learn more about how to use SNAP & WIC at farmers markets here: https://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket/ebt/howtouse

The Fort Hall Reservation Summer Recreation Program in Idaho provides children on the Reservation with activities, sports, crafts, hikes, language and culture. The program also provides breakfast, lunch, and a snack for the kids. When the program reached out to say that they had no food for the kids, our National Community Organizing Manager Dawn sprung into action to secure the needed food. Thanks to Chobani and the Idaho Foodbank, as well as Dairy West who provided a commercial fridge/freezer, 150 kids will be receiving Chobani yogurt, CLIF Bars and fruit 5 days a week for the summer!

A big thank you to Chobani, CLIF Bar and Dairy West for their generosity, and an especially big thanks to Dawn for her hard work and commitment to the children of Idaho!

It's National Farmers Market Week! At Hunger Free America, we've worked hard to ensure that families can use their SNAP and WIC benefits at local farmers markets. Not only does it increase the availability of healthy food options, it also benefits the local economy!

School may be out, but lunchroom staffs are still working hard to ensure that all children receive the nutrition they need, even in the summer. Learn more about Summer Meals: https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunmeals

Looking for volunteer opportunities this summer? Check out HFA's new volunteer platform! You can find virtual and in-person events that meet your needs: https://volunteer.hungerfreeamerica.org/

Earlier this month, students from Yale University joined us at our Bronx, NY office to learn about the fight against hunger and help us spread the word about SNAP and WIC. They also had the chance to meet Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson.

Live in or near Renton, Washington State? From 5pm to 9pm tomorrow, July 24th, you can use a special code to order food and contribute to Hunger Free America!

Join us for a fundraiser at Chipotle 07.24.2024, 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Last month, the Hunger Hotline, which HFA runs on behalf of USDA, received 4,608 calls! Nearly two-thirds of those callers had questions about the new Summer EBT program. Other callers received information about Summer Meals, SNAP, and local food pantries. Call Mon-Fri, 7am-10pm: 866-348-6479

Did you know that one in five children in the U.S. experience food insecurity? For kids that rely on free or reduced-priced meals at school, summer can mean a lack of access to nutritious food. That’s why we’ve joined Albertsons Companies Foundation’s first-of-its-kind coalition of foodbanks, school districts, community organizations, and other partners across the country to help tackle hunger. Check if your household qualifies for $120 for groceries per eligible child through USDA’s new, permanent Summer EBT program at SummerEBT.org

Join us for Days of Service! September 11th is a federally designated day of service in honor of those lost on 9/11, and those who responded. Join us for events Sept 11-15 - more events to be added soon! https://volunteer.hungerfreeamerica.org/911?mc_cid=304a1ee68c&mc_eid=7a3308e940

On Saturday, we joined Rep. Tom Suozzi at the Queens County Farm Museum farmstand to promote the new Summer EBT program. To learn more, or to see if your family might be eligible, visit SummerEBT.org

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!

According to Denise Fernandez, the benefits access director at Hunger Free America, some of the biggest barriers to receiving food benefits are often the negative feelings associated with needing to ask for help. Fernandez’s team often works with people for a long time before they start and then submit an application.

“There’s a human aspect to helping people who are finding themselves during one of the worst times in their lives,” said Fernandez. “You might have to reassure them one or two or three times or re-educate them on the processes.”

How to Get Help Paying for Food and Groceries in NYC Our guide on how to use SNAP and other programs that help New Yorkers get enough food on the table.

14 million U.S. children - one in five - live in households that struggle against hunger, and we know that child hunger soars during the summer when traditional school meals are unavailable. Every eligible child in the country should have access to Summer EBT, regardless of which state they live in.

A dozen Republican-led states are rejecting summer food benefits for hungry families Money for food is especially tight for families in a dozen states where Republican lawmakers declined to accept federal food assistance.

Did you know that one in five children in the U.S. experience food insecurity? For kids that rely on free or reduced-priced meals at school, summer can mean a lack of access to nutritious food. That’s why we’ve joined Albertsons Companies Foundation’s first-of-its-kind coalition of foodbanks, school districts, community organizations, and other partners across the country to help tackle hunger. Check if your household qualifies for $120 for groceries per eligible child through USDA’s new, permanent Summer EBT program at SummerEBT.org

¿Sabía que uno de cada cinco niños en Estados Unidos enfrenta inseguridad alimentaria? Para los niños que dependen de almuerzos gratis o a precio reducido en la escuela, el verano puede representar la falta de acceso a comida nutritiva. Es por ello que nos hemos unido a la Fundación Albertsons Companies en una novedosa coalición de bancos de comida, distritos escolares, organizaciones comunitarias y otras organizaciones asociadas a lo largo del país para ayudar a abordar el problema del hambre. Revise si su familia califica para los $120USD para comestibles por cada niño elegible a través del nuevo programa permanente Summer EBT del USDA en SummerEBT.org.

While many children throughout the country welcome to start of summer, for millions of families, summer can mean additional hardship. 14 million U.S. children -- one in five -- live in households that struggle against hunger, and we know that child hunger soars during the summer when traditional school meals are unavailable.

As our Countdown to Summer giving campaign comes to an end, will you help Hunger Free America connect families in need with food? https://www.classy.org/campaign/spring-giving-2024/c577370

We’re just a few days away from the official start of summer. As kids get ready to end the school year, Hunger Free America has been working hard to educate people about programs like Summer Meals and Summer EBT. These programs are a lifeline to many families who rely on school meals to ensure their children are getting the nutrition they need.

Will you help Hunger Free America connect families in need with food this summer? https://www.classy.org/campaign/spring-giving-2024/c577370

¿Sabía que uno de cada cinco niños en Estados Unidos enfrenta inseguridad alimentaria? Para los niños que dependen de almuerzos gratis o a precio reducido en la escuela, el verano puede representar la falta de acceso a comida nutritiva. Es por ello que nos hemos unido a la Fundación Albertsons Companies en una novedosa coalición de bancos de comida, distritos escolares, organizaciones comunitarias y otras organizaciones asociadas a lo largo del país para ayudar a abordar el problema del hambre. Revise si su familia califica para los $120USD para comestibles por cada niño elegible a través del nuevo programa permanente Summer EBT del en SummerEBT.org.

Did you know that one in five children in the U.S. experience food insecurity? For kids that rely on free or reduced-priced meals at school, summer can mean a lack of access to nutritious food. That’s why we’ve joined Albertsons Companies Foundation’s first-of-its-kind coalition of foodbanks, school districts, community organizations, and other partners across the country to help tackle hunger. Check if your household qualifies for $120 for groceries per eligible child through ’s new, permanent Summer EBT program at SummerEBT.org

Congratulations to Albertsons and Nourishing Neighbors for ten years of leading the fight against hunger!

14 million U.S. children — one in five — live in households that struggle against hunger. Child hunger soars during the summer when traditional school meals are unavailable.

Act Now! – Help Hungry Kids Eat This Summer —donate today to make a lasting difference!

Donate here: https://www.classy.org/campaign/spring-giving-2024/c577370

Summer EBT is a new grocery benefit available across several states. HFA will be working to ensure that all eligible families have access to this vital program. Your support will help us in that effort.
Donate here: https://www.classy.org/campaign/spring-giving-2024/c577370

Huge thank you to the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region and United Way of Westchester and Putnam for hosting us and giving us the opportunity to meet some incredible AmeriCorps VISTA members!

As we bid farewell to Mother's Day celebrations, we're gearing up for an equally important season: the countdown to summer and child nutrition!

https://www.classy.org/campaign/spring-giving-2024/c577370

When school lets out, more than 20 million low-income children lose access to the vital meals they rely on during the academic year. It's a concerning reality, but there is hope. Summer Nutrition Programs, supported by federal funding and local efforts, step in to bridge this gap. They ensure that children receive the nutrition they need to thrive, offering free meals and snacks to those who might otherwise go hungry.

Why is this so crucial? Because no child should face hunger, especially when resources exist to support them. By donating to Hunger Free America’s programs, you're offering hope, dignity, and a brighter future for countless children in need.

Donate here: https://www.classy.org/campaign/spring-giving-2024/c577370

Last week students from Amsterdam University visited our office in the Bronx to learn about hunger in America, and to help us spread the word about food benefits assistance programs.