In Focus Archive
Food Supplement Program Application (FSP) Assistance at Free Tax Preparation Sites
Following a successful 2012 pilot at two Montgomery County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, Maryland Hunger Solutions is partnering with Montgomery County’s Department of Health & Human Services Community Action Agency, Community Tax Aid, and Baltimore CASH to offer FSP outreach at six VITA sites in three counties. Download this flyer (pdf) about the project in Montgomery County and spread the word.
Somerset County Residents Recovering from Hurricane Sandy Participate in Food Resource Day
The day after U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) toured Hurricane Sandy affected areas in Crisfield, Somerset County residents came out to the Food Resource Day – held from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Friday, January 11 at the Disaster Recovery Center in Crisfield – to apply for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits and to learn more about additional resources available to them. More... (pdf)
Disaster SNAP/Food Stamp Benefits
- Somerset County
Residents of Somerset County who lost food due to Hurricane Sandy may be eligible for D-SNAP, a 30 day food benefit for eligible storm victims not already receiving food stamp benefits. Victims of Hurricane Sandy can apply for D-SNAP January 7-13 at either: Somerset County DSS, 30397 Mt. Vernon Road, Princess Anne or the Disaster Recovery Center, Lower Somerset County Ambulance & Rescue Squad Building, 2 Mill Lane, Crisfield. D-SNAP applications accepted 8 am - 7 pm Monday - Saturday and 1-5 pm Sunday. Learn more with this fact sheet (pdf).
On Friday, January 11 from 9AM – 4PM representatives from Maryland Hunger Solutions and the Maryland Department of Human Resources will be assisting residents with applications at the Disaster Recovery Center, located in the Lower Somerset County Ambulance & Rescue Squad Building, 2 Mill Lane, in Crisfield. Produce and non-perishable food, donated by the Maryland Food Bank, will also be available. For more information call Maryland Hunger Solutions at 410-528-0021 x23. Information flyers (pdf): English version / Spanish version.
School breakfast programs key to ending hunger - Capital Gazette Op-Ed by MDHS Director Cathy Demeroto
"Maryland is on its way to becoming one such state. Gov. Martin O’Malley was the first governor in the nation to commit to ending childhood hunger and established the Governor’s Partnership to End Childhood Hunger, which is charged with accomplishing that goal by 2015." More...
MDHS to Lead Discussion at Hunger and Homeless Week Event
As part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (November 10-18), MDHS will lead a discussion group at the "A Bench is not a Bed" Sleepout in front of Baltimore City Hall on November 17 at 6pm. Find out more...
Maryland Hunger Solutions Teaming Up with Food Depot to Help Shoppers Stretch Food Dollars
The Food Depot on Belair Road in Baltimore City is teaming up with Maryland Hunger Solutions to provide Food Supplement Program (FSP) outreach to interested shoppers on an on-going basis. More...
12.5 Percent of Maryland’s Households Struggling with Hunger - New Polling Data Show Broad Support for SNAP and Opposition to Cuts
One in eight households in Maryland struggled with hunger on average in the years 2009-2011, according to new data released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in its annual report on food insecurity. More...
Increased Funding for MMFA
Maryland Hunger Solutions is working with 23 partners to advocate for increased funding for Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) – a state program that funds free breakfast-in-the-classroom for low-income children. Demand for the MMFA program far exceeds current funding and capacity. Maryland Hunger Solutions - with partner support - composed a letter seeking a multi-year budget commitment from the State to fully fund MMFA over 5 years, which would mean an additional 284,479 children in Maryland would start the day off with a nutritious breakfast by 2018. Follow this link to the request letter (pdf).
Less hunger, less obesity – MDHS Op Ed, Baltimore Sun
Hunger and obesity are serious challenges that face far too many children in our state and across the country. At a quick glance, it may seem that attempts to reduce hunger and promote healthy eating are competing goals. Yet, evidence shows us that expanding participation in federal nutrition programs (like school meals) reduces childhood hunger and improves children's diets. At the same time, improving the quality of these federal programs, with a primary goal of preventing obesity, may well increase participation. More...
More Than 200 Join Maryland Hunger Solutions and DC Hunger Solutions in Food Stamp Challenge
The week of October 9 – 15, over 200 Marylanders and DC residents joined Maryland Hunger Solutions Director Cathy Demeroto and Department of Human Resources Secretary Dallas in the 3rd Annual Food Stamp Challenge. The Challenge gives participants a view of what life can be like for millions of low-income Americans. By using the average Food Supplement Program benefit – just $30 per person – as their budget for food for one week, participants are forced to make difficult food shopping choices and often realize how hard it is to avoid hunger, afford nutritious foods, and stay healthy. Read their experiences here...
Maryland Hunger Solutions Runs Baltimore Marathon Relay
For the second year in a row Maryland Hunger Solutions ran the Baltimore City Marathon Team Relay on Saturday, October 13th in an effort to raise awareness about hunger in Maryland and to raise funds to continue fighting hunger in our state. See pictures and more here...
Sign up for the webinar "Feed Them and They Will Come: Incorporating Afterschool Meals into Your Program" - Tuesday, September 25th at 12:00 p.m.
Do you operate after school programming in Maryland for children 18 and under? Are you currently providing snacks and meals using your own money? Are you currently receiving snacks but want to learn more about providing suppers? Sign up for this webinar presented by Maryland Out of School Time Network and Maryland Hunger Solutions.
"Feeding students’ bodies and minds" - MDHS Letter to the Editor, Washington Post
By drawing attention to the fact that three in five teachers in Maryland have students who come to school hungry, the Share Our Strength survey drives home the important work that’s being done in Maryland to ensure that more children start their day with a healthy school breakfast. School meals — breakfast, lunch and afterschool snacks — allow children to concentrate on learning. But more can be done. More...
More than One in Seven Maryland Residents Report Struggle to Afford Enough Food During First Six Months of 2012
New data released on August 22 by the Gallup organization show the food hardship rate for Maryland was 14.8 percent during the first six months of 2012. Maryland Hunger Solutions noted this rate shows that far too many Maryland residents continue to report that there were times during the past 12 months when they did not have enough money to buy the food they or their families needed. More...
Through Maryland Hunger Solutions’ Paper Apple Campaign, Hundreds of Marylanders Declare “SNAP Works”
Hundreds of Marylanders from every county in the state are declaring “SNAP Works” and joining Maryland Hunger Solutions’ Paper Apple Campaign to show their support for the program and to voice opposition to proposed cuts in Congress. Hundreds of paper apples will be delivered this week to the district offices of Representatives Steny Hoyer and Chris Van Hollen. More...
MDHS Conducting FSP Outreach in Glen Burnie
MDHS will be conducting FSP outreach at Collins ShopRite in Glen Burnie on the second Friday and last Tuesday of each month from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Shoppers will be able to ask questions about FSP, WIC, and other nutrition programs, find out if they are eligible for FSP, and sign up on-site for the program with MDHS. Anne Arundel County has the highest need for FSP outreach to seniors – for that reason, we are conducting outreach on Senior Discount Day and another high-volume day to reach the largest number of people possible.
Maryland Hunger Solutions Kicks Off Summer Meals Program for Kids
Summer meal programs are opening their doors across the county this month, and Representative Donna Edwards (D-Md.) joined Maryland Hunger Solutions and the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services to visit with participating children and see the program in action at Princeton Elementary School, Summer Playground in Suitland, MD. More...
Replacement SNAP Benefits in Central Maryland
The Maryland Department of Human Resources was approved to replace 20% of June SNAP benefits in the following 6 jurisdictions: Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. The benefit has been deposited in SNAP recipients' accounts as of Friday, July 6. The funds will be available for 180 days. Households not living in these 6 counties can qualify for Replacement SNAP Benefits by reporting loss of food to their case manager by COB on Tuesday, July 10. For more information click here.
Low-Income Children Missing Out on Summer Meals in Maryland
While the Summer Nutrition Programs are designed to fill the food gap during the summer months, a new report – Serving Maryland’s Children (pdf) – by Maryland Hunger Solutions (MDHS) finds that far too many children in Maryland continue to miss out on summer meals. For the second year in a row, participation in the Summer Nutrition Programs fell from the previous summer, reaching fewer than one in five low-income children. More...
Farmers Market Events and Openings
MDHS welcomes the Baltimore Farmers' Market and Bazaar to the Baltimore Bucks EBT incentive program. Beginning on Sunday, July 1 the market will offer Baltimore Bucks, a $1-for-$1 match up to $10 for customers shopping with EBT/food stamps at the market. More...
Volunteer to Spread the Word About Free Summer Meals
Maryland Hunger Solutions is embarking on an exciting month of community canvassing to spread the word about the free summer meals being served throughout the state and we invite you to join us. More...
MDHS Teams With Shoprite to Provide Food Supplement Program (FSP) Outreach
Our staff and volunteers operated an outreach station in the new Perring Crossing store that provided information and answered questions about available nutrition assistance programs, pre-screened individuals to see if they are eligible for FSP, and assisted interested individuals in applying on-site for the program. More...
Maryland Hunger Solutions Receives Henry L. Dixon Community Action Award for Food Supplement Program Outreach
MDHS received the award in honor of its successful effort to offer Food Supplement Program outreach at two tax assistance sites in Montgomery County this past tax season. More...
MMFA Gets Funding Boost as General Assembly Passes State Budget
This 20 percent increase in funding for MMFA (an additional $560,000) will enable 46 more eligible schools to participate and provide in-classroom breakfast to 20,000 more children, according to the Maryland State Department of Education. More...
MDHS Congratulates Winners of Statewide School Breakfast Contest
Winning schools all had significant increases in school breakfast participation in March 2012 as compared to March 2011. More...
Archived Conference Call:
How to Join the Food Supplement Program State Outreach Plan. More...
Partnership Helps Struggling Montgomery Households with Taxes and Food Assistance
Tax sites helped households complete tax forms and screened for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Food Supplement Program eligibility. More...
New Analysis Finds More Low-Income Children in Maryland Starting the Day with School Breakfast - Larger Counties Struggle to Meet Need, but Report Finds Success with Breakfast in the Classroom Programs. More...
New Survey Finds One in Six Marylanders Unable to Afford Enough Food in 2011 - New food hardship data released by Maryland Hunger Solutions show continued economic challenges for many in the state, as one in six Marylanders said there were times they didn’t have enough money to buy food that they or their families needed. More...
Top Chef Fights To Make Sure Children Don’t Go Hungry -In this Feb 21 CBS Baltimore video, Cathy Demeroto testifies, with Top Chef finalist and Maryland native Bryan Voltaggio, before a House of Delegates subcommittee in support of the governor’s 2013 budget that includes an additional $560,000 for school breakfasts.
Maryland Hunger Solutions Urges General Assembly to Preserve Funding for MMFA Program - Maryland Hunger Solutions applauds Governor Martin O’Malley for including an increase in funding for the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) program in his FY2013 budget proposal, an important step forward in the state’s effort to end hunger. More…
Maryland Hunger Solutions Events Address Senior Hunger - Maryland Hunger Solutions (MDHS) and AARP Maryland have organized several events and initiatives in February designed to raise public awareness about hunger among seniors, and reach more seniors who may be eligible for nutrition supports like the Food Supplement Program. More…
