A drop in SNAP participation means we all need food equity

Hi friends. You're likely hearing a lot about the SNAP legislation, and possibly feeling pretty hopeless. But there's so much you can do for your neighbors right now.

As we continue to see the impact of legislation to tighten who receives SNAP benefits, local mutual aid groups are working harder than ever to increase the amount of completely free food available. SNAP benefits quantify who deserves government assistance to eat, and who the government believes can pay for their own meals - and there are restrictions on what kind of food people can use benefits for.

Mutual aid groups are working to make vegetables and fruit available every day in Philadelphia, and not just to people who who cannot afford their own, but everyone. Because when we talk about receiving free food, the stigma can be just as difficult to overcome as the paperwork.

How can you help?

Even if you receive a paycheck, even if you have the means to get food, go to a free fridge, distribution table or pantry today.

Studies show that while free food programs may be underutilized by people who need it, "intrapersonal level interventions address the way individuals think, feel, or behave" with free food. Seeing friends and neighbors take advantage of a free food distribution table can encourage someone in need to join as well.

Here are places where you can get free food (or volunteer to distribute free food!) every day of the week in Philadelphia:

• Broad Street Love: Hot meals Monday-Friday, 11:30 AM to 1:15 PM at 315 S Broad St.
• South Philly Punks with Lunch provide food and hygiene items in South Philly:
  • Mifflin Square Park on Fridays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Broad + Snyder Streets on Sundays and Wednesdays from 1:30 to p.m.
• Homies Helping Homies provides food at Wharton Square Park on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• The People's Kitchen at 1149 South 9th Street in the Italian Market, provides daily cooked meals in their fridge.
• The Everywhere Project provides essentials at...
  • Love Park in Center City on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
  • Kensington at 1810 E. Clearfield Street on Saturdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
• South Philly Community Fridge regularly stocks their pantries and fridges, with locations at:
  • The BOK Building: 1902 S 9th Street
  • The People's Kitchen: 1149 S 9th Street in the Italian Market
  • Mifflin Square Park: 516 Wolf Street
  • Porco's: 1100 S 22nd Street
  • Growing Together Garden: 2550 Reed Street
  • LUHV Vegan Bistro: 1840 Ellsworth Street
  • Good Shepherd PENN: 1845 South Street

If you're looking for the full list of September volunteer opportunities, you can find that here. One programming note: I am going away to see family for a few weeks and will not be at the free Friday picnic at Mifflin for the next two weeks. I still encourage you to go and take advantage of the many crates and boxes of beautiful vegetables and breads we receive from stores across Philadelphia.

If you'd like to join the Signal chat for that regular volunteering event, just let me know!

Annemarie