The Rev. Patricia Neale, Executive Director of Feast of Justice in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, was part of the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Coalition (PHAC) advocacy day on March 25, sharing with lawmakers the hardships faced by those in her community struggling with rising costs and cutbacks in federal safety net programs.
“Last Wednesday was a great time to network with lawmakers and other advocates,” Neale said. “I met with five legislators, four of whom serve in districts served by Feast of Justice. We spoke about the challenges faced by front-line anti-hunger programs because of the increased demand due to rising food costs, Medicaid and SNAP cuts and general inflation, as well as the decreased supply as a result of federal cuts to food bank providers. It is a perfect storm, creating anxiety from the guest to the sites themselves. I spoke about how Feast of Justice now has over 5,500 active households–and how we are only able to serve one third of those each MONTH, with one of the reasons being access to enough food.”
As part of PHAC, LAMPa has for years led and accompanied our Lutheran ministries in advocacy on issues that address the root causes of hunger, as well as funding for the state’s two major anti-hunger programs — the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) and the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS). The same is true this budget season.
“Our ask of the legislators is for an increase in SFPP and PASS funding,” Neale said. “Even that will not be able to reach all the families in need — but it will be movement towards food security for Commonwealth families in this most vulnerable time.”
As federal programs end and prices of fuel and other necessities climb, LAMPa is seeking reports from our congregations and ministries throughout the Commonwealth to better inform our advocacy. Send us a note here with HUNGER in the subject line.
Susan Barclay of Lazarus Gate Food Pantry in Rockwood, Somerset County, wrote earlier this year that there had been an increase in families being served.
“During the government shutdown last fall, I asked my volunteers to take over the food distribution one evening as I was spending so much time listening to those we serve,” Barclay said. “During that time the uncertainty was devastating to them. They wanted to be heard, and I listened. They voiced concerns over the prices of food, particularly meat. And at that time I too was unable to purchase meat to give them. But it wasn’t just meat. All food seemed to be more pricey. They were distressed with the cuts to SNAP and the effect that had on their increasing food budgets. Plus the new rules for SNAP benefits were frightening. In Rockwood, we have no mass transit system. So you NEED a car to get to and from work. We deliver some boxes of food because some of our families don’t have access to transportation to visit our pantry. Or their beat up cars are not reliable. How are they to get to a job? Daycare is costly and not readily available in Rockwood. Who will watch the young children or school age children on weekends and in the summer? Their fears were real. Add to that cuts to Medicaide. Now medical bills will cut into their ability to purchase food. They feel lost in all this bureaucracy and have no voice. I tried to reassure them that all would be well. But I watch as SNAP and Medicaide benefits are cut, and I’m not sure how they will survive. The goverment shutdown ended. But the fears and hopelessness remain.”
Your advocacy can help give our neighbors hope — regardless of what part of Pennsylvania they call home. Please help us extend the impact of your service by sharing what you are witnessing in your communities so that we can act as church together to make a difference.
