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
Farm to School Grant Program Applications Available
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the Farm to School Grant Program. The Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant Program will provide elementary schools with funding to improve access to healthy, local foods and increase agriculture education opportunities for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The program aims to
Minimum Wage Increase Passes in PA Senate
The Pennsylvania Senate passed a compromise bill that would gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $9.50 per hour over the next two years. Under the terms of Senate Bill 79, Pennsylvania’s minimum wage would move from $7.25 to $8 per hour on July 1, 2020. It would rise to
PA Elections Legislation Includes $4M for Census Efforts; Enumerator Recruiting Begins
Legislation to update Pennsylvania's election laws and pay for upgrades to voting machines includes up to $4 million to help ensure an accurate 2020 Census count in the Commonwealth. The law, signed by Gov. Tom Wolf on Oct. 31, is a significant change. It allows anyone to cast a mail-in
Children’s Health Care Report Shows 124,000 Uninsured in PA
The Pennsylvania Partnership for Children (PPC) has released its Annual State of Children’s Health Care Report. The opportunity to prosper begins with preventive health care when children are young. A healthy start includes immunizations, screenings, regular dental care, well-child visits and access to nutritious food. However, 124,000 Pennsylvania children do
New Research from Blessed Tomorrow & ecoAmerica: How Faith Communities Fuel Social Movements
EcoAmerica and Blessed Tomorrow have shared their latest research on How Faith Communities Fuel Social Movements: Lessons for Climate Advocacy from the Immigration Black Lives Matter, and President Trump Election Campaigns. While each effort is rooted in the authentic experiences of those impacted, the report examines the successful replicable strategies
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
