LAMPa Accepting Applications for 2023-24 Hunger Advocacy Fellowship
Are you (or someone you know) interested in a year-long transformative experience that combines leadership development and faith formation with advocacy that moves us toward an end to hunger and a just world where all are fed? If so, consider an ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellowship. LAMPa is accepting applications now
PA Launches Statewide Food Policy Council
Pennsylvania's first statewide Food Policy Council launched May 25 with its inaugural meeting at the state Department of Agriculture. Advocates, including LAMPa, have been working for years toward the creation of such a council to foster coordination, collaboration and a holistic vision to the commonwealth's food system. "I am thrilled
Lutheran Day 2023 Garners Record Turnout for Study and Practice of Civic Life and Faith
Lutherans turned out in record numbers for LAMPa's annual day of advocacy, gathering in person after four years to wrestle with what it means for us to be disciples in this democracy in this time and to speak as church together for neighbors struggling with hunger or lack of a
PA Dept. of Ag. Announces $1.6 M for Emergency Food Assistance Grants
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today invited qualified food banks, pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens that offer emergency food assistance to apply for $1.6 million in The Emergency Food Assistance (TEFAP) Reach and Resiliency Grants. The grants aim to expand access to emergency food assistance in isolated or underserved rural or
Food Programs Expand Eligibility — Some May Need to Reapply
LAMPa applauds recent actions taken by the Wolf Administration to expand eligibility for hunger-fighting programs in Pennsylvania and advises feeding ministries and advocates to encourage people who may once have been ineligible to re-apply for programs now. In late September, Gov. Tom Wolf marked Hunger Action Month by announcing updates
Housing, Education and Creation Care Get Boost in State Budget
The 2022-23 Pennsylvania budget includes significant gains for education, housing and creation care, but only a modest increase for anti-hunger programs. A $1.8 billion increase in education funding makes strides toward decreasing the funding gap in what has been one of the least equitable school funding systems in the country.
LSS Hunger Ministry Lifts Needs of Seniors, Pennsylvanians with Disabilities
The Rev. Angela Hammer of St. Paul, Penryn, shared the experiences of her congregation's feeding ministry in a state Capitol press conference in support of proposed increases to minimum nutrition assistance benefits for seniors and Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Hunger leaders in all seven Pennsylvania synods have reported increasing need in
PA Raises Income Cap for Food Assistance Programs
More Pennsylvanians struggling to put nutritious food on the table will be eligible to receive food assistance thanks to a newly amended rule that raises the income cap for the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP). The state Department of Agriculture amended the code to raise the SFPP income threshold to
Climate Panel Report “Dire Warning” with Narrow Window for Action
Climate change is causing widespread and dangerous threats to nature and billions of people around the planet, but especially those least able to cope, according to a report released this week by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which warns that humankind has a narrowing window for action. “This
New Report Shows Impact of School Nutrition Waivers, Calls for Extension
Student participation in school breakfast and lunch dropped dramatically across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, and child hunger would have spiked even more dramatically without waivers that allowed schools and community organizations to creatively adapt to keep feeding programs going, according to a new report by the Food Research &
