Ongoing COVID-19 Pennsylvania Updates
LAMPA will continue to share COVID-19 updates here as they are received. LAMPa staff is working with partners addressing the needs of all people in the Commonwealth, especially our most vulnerable residents. We hold all of your communities in prayer as we endeavor to respond faithfully to the presence of
Gov. Wolf Urges USDA to Waive Food Assistance Eligibility Requirements
Governor Tom Wolf sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue asking that USDA waive eligibility requirements for the Emergency Food Assistance Program; reconsider Pennsylvania’s request for temporary waivers to allow more food to be distributed at school feeding sites and food banks; and to be flexible
ELCA Releases First Draft of Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA) has shared The First Draft of the Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy. The development of this message on government, civic engagement, the relationship of church and state and related matters, was called for by the 2019 ELCA
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
U.S. District Court Issues Injunction On SNAP Time Limits Rule For ABAWDs
On Friday, March 13, a federal judge from the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C., issued a nationwide injunction blocking the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) from taking effect. The Trump administration rule, scheduled to take effect April 1, would have forced nearly
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
ELCA Partners With Census for Neighbor and Ourselves
Our communities are significantly shaped by census data, and Census 2020 will update these numbers for the first time in 10 years. The ELCA is an official partner of the 2020 Census to encourage the most accurate count possible. “Funding for over 100 federal programs, many of which combat poverty
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
