March 3, 2021
Plastic pollution is everywhere. A report released today by PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center found that in the 53 Pennsylvania waterways tested, covering the entirety of the commonwealth, all of them returned evidence of microplastic pollution. These findings underscore the severity of the plastic crisis in our communities and ecosystems. The sampling of Pennsylvania’s waterways was broad in scope, testing...
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March 2, 2021
On February 26th Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the opening of the 2020-21 PA Farm Bill’s $500,000 Urban Agriculture Grant Program to address food deserts in urban areas through the expansion of agricultural infrastructure. The program has the added intention of creating opportunities for hands-on learning and community building through the shared...
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March 1, 2021
Though the nation has just come out of one of the most contentious election cycles in our history, another election season is just beginning. The 2021 primary season is upon us, and there are important pieces of information for voters to know. Below you’ll find information on deadlines for registration, how to request a mail-in...
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February 26, 2021
In February 2021 the USDA shared important updates regarding student eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), due to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. This act temporarily expands SNAP eligibility to students in higher education enrolled at least part time. The new requirements now extend eligibility to students who: “are eligible to participate in state or federally financed work study...
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February 26, 2021
On January 13th Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller announced the selection of a vendor (Aunt Bertha) for Resource Information and Services Enterprise – or RISE PA – an upcoming statewide resource and referral tool. RISE PA is a “collaborative effort between multiple state agencies, counties, and local non-profits and community organizations, health...
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February 22, 2021
From the National Low Income Housing Association: The U.S. Department of the Treasury released on February 22nd, 2021 a new FAQ to help states and communities quickly distribute more than $25 billion in emergency rental assistance to renters in need. The revised FAQ directly addresses the significant flaws in the guidance issued by the previous administration and includes many...
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February 22, 2021
Did you know that, currently, ONLY 6 out of the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania have explicit policies or resolutions in place that welcome and support immigrant and refugee students? The Welcoming Schools Campaign, a program of the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC), aims to educate and empower immigrant and refugee students and parents about how they can...
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February 19, 2021
On February 17th the Lower Susquehanna Synod partnered with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) in honor of United Nations World Day of Social Justice for a special panel discussion, in association with Worship & Wonder Wednesdays, on our baptismal call to labor for justice, examining what it means to be public church for the...
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February 8, 2021
On Friday, Feb. 5, Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law SB109, now known as Act 1, directing more than $900 million in federal pandemic aid to struggling businesses, private schools, landlords and tenants unable to meet rent or utility bills because of economic downturn related to the failure to stop the spread of the disease. Thank you...
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February 8, 2021
Gov. Wolf continued to place education at the forefront of his agenda with a his 2021 budget proposal in an effort to close the gaps in one of the least equitable school funding systems in the country, increase affordability of college education and job training. The budget, outlined in an address on Feb. 3, would...
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