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How does increasing SNAP benefits help low-income families?

Kimberly Adams talks to Sharon Parrott, president of Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, about the expansion of food assistance.
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Food insecurity, payment trouble hit those who lost jobs during COVID, study finds

Apr 14, 2021
For many who lost jobs, relief payments and safety nets weren't enough to stave off the material hardship.
"About 1 in 3 adults reported food insecurity in 2020, 1 in 5 had trouble paying the rent or mortgage, and utility bills," Michael Karpman at the Urban Institute said of households that lost jobs.
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Pandemic food benefit expands for qualifying children through summer

Apr 5, 2021
Researchers think this temporary expansion could bring permanent changes to the SNAP program.
For many kids, school is the main way to get any lunch at all.
Karen Ducey/Getty Images

Pandemic relief package includes spending aimed at reducing food insecurity

Mar 15, 2021
Some measures directly target food insecurity, like the extension of a SNAP benefit increase. Others are more indirect.
One in eight people in the United States may experience food insecurity this year, according to a projection from hunger relief organization Feeding America.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Rural food banks find ways to deliver during pandemic

Jan 22, 2021
For many low-income people in rural areas, simply getting to a grocery store or food bank can be a barrier to getting enough to eat.
Food price inflation is causing some food banks to consider their costs and tighten where needed.
Karen Ducey/Getty Images

Texas food banks say they could be short millions of pounds of food in early 2021

Jan 1, 2021
At a time of unprecedented need, a state program that provides fresh produce to food banks saw its funding cut.
Cars line up outside Houston's NRG Stadium to pick up boxes of food from the Houston Food Bank during the holiday season.
Courtesy of the Houston Food Bank

Schools find new ways to deliver free lunches during pandemic

Dec 1, 2020
Of the 30 million low-income students who are eligible for free lunches, only 15% are currently getting those meals.
A student chaperoned by an adult picks up a meal to go on November 19, 2020 at Yung Wing School P.S. 124 in New York City.
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Food pantries offer food and community safely this Thanksgiving

Nov 26, 2020
Although most soup kitchens are serving to-go meals, they're hoping to provide safe gathering spaces, too.
Demand at soup kitchens has grown so much during the pandemic that serving into the night is the only way to get food to everyone safely.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The most effective way to give this holiday season

Nov 25, 2020
As we head into a holiday season like no other, what is the best way to help those in need?
Workers from the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank distribute boxes of fresh produce to people facing food insecurity in August. Donating cash to food banks allows them to supply produce to people in need more easily.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Food programs see a huge increase in need during the pandemic

Nov 25, 2020
Feeding America says food banks nationwide have seen about 60% more people showing up at food distribution centers.
People receive bags of food, including turkeys, at a Thanksgiving food distribution on Nov. 20 in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images