Hi Reader,

If you're in the U.S., you'll likely heard that starting November 1, families will no longer receive SNAP benefits (also known as food stamps) because of the government shutdown.

Roughly 1 in 8 Americans rely on SNAP to help feed their families, and the budget bill Congress passed this summer already included major changes to the program that kicked some families out of the program and that will reduce benefits to others.

One of the fundamental tests of our morality as a society is whether or not we ensure that all people, especially kids, have enough to eat. I got my activist start as a college student 29 years ago (geez I'm getting old!) with a hunger advocacy organized called Bread for the World. Hunger in the face of so much plenty broke my heart then, and it breaks my heart now.

Here are some things that your family can do to advocate for and provide care to neighbors experiencing hunger.

Turn up the pressure on Congress and the White House to fund SNAP.

There are supplemental funds that the government can use to keep benefits flowing.

Sign this petition from Moms Rising

Involve kids by using one of these coloring page templates from Cleveland's Hunger Network. When they're finished, take a picture and post on your social media accounts, tagging your members of Congress. (Not sure who represents you? Use this tool to find out.)

Donate funds to your local food bank.

If you're in a position to donate even $10 or $15, food banks can really stretch these funds with the bulk discounts they have access to. When it comes to food banks, financial donations are generally more helpful than donating food itself.

Spread the word about where people can access help in your community.

I have seen lots of Facebook and Instagram posts outlining where people in my city can get food assistance. Share posts like these for your own community.

You can also share the website FindHelp.org where people can search by zip code. (Since it's a national resource, it's not as comprehensive as some local lists I've seen, but it's a good starting place.)

Involve your kids in donating food to Little Free Pantries or Community Fridges.

Depending on where you live you may or may not have these in your community. These are mutual aid efforts that anyone can access without having to go through paperwork or providing identification.

Gathering non-perishable items for a Little Free Pantry and placing them in the pantry gives kids, especially younger children, a concrete way to understand what they're doing. (Traditional food pantries at places like congregations and community centers may also welcome non-perishable food donations.)

If your city has Community Fridges, you can even make snacks or meals with your kids' help to place in a fridge.

Get resources for talking with kids about hunger and poverty.

Especially if your family (or some of your students) are affected by this coming crisis, this is a frightening time. Remind kids that we are part of a community, and that communities take care of each other in hard times.

Acknowledge that the current situation is not fair and talk about the people who are challenging that unfairness.

As Mr. Rogers says, "look for the helpers," and point them out when you see them, whether those helpers are fierce activists or people who are weaving a web of support for folks where you live.

These posts from my archives can help you talk with kids about poverty and find books to read together.

How to talk to kids about poverty from a social justice perspective

Children's books about hunger and poverty

Do's and don'ts for community service projects with kids

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In love and solidarity,

Rebekah

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Rebekah Gienapp (she/her/hers) | rebekahgienapp.com | Connect on Instagram | Coffees for Gaza |

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