ARCHIVE - What's Happening Now
April 22, 2009
2009 DC CROP Hunger Walk
Join us on April 25 from 10:30am to noon for Church World Service's 2009 DC CROP Hunger Walk. Throughout the country, thousands of people are taking part in walks in their communities to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger where they live and around the world. A portion of the proceeds from this year's two-and-a-half-mile walk will go to D.C. Hunger Solutions. The walk begins and ends at Christ United Methodist Church at 900 4th St SW (4th and I Sts). Download this flyer (pdf) for more information, or contact Corrine Scott at davicors@gmail.com or (202) 484-3575.
March 3, 2009
Advocates Discuss Child Nutrition Programs with D.C. Congressional Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton
A delegation of District anti-hunger advocates -- including representatives from D.C. Hunger Solutions, the American Heart Association, Capital Area Asset Builders, Capital Area Food Bank, D.C. Legal Aid, Summit Health Institute for Research and Education (SHIRE), So Others Might Eat (SOME), and the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless -- journeyed to Capital Hill to meet with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (pictured) about the importance of a strong child nutrition and WIC title and about how the District can become an Afterschool Supper Program state, which would provide thousands of nutritious suppers to hungry children in afterschool programs in the District every year. If you are interested in supporting efforts to bring the federal Afterschool Supper Program to D.C., contact us!
February 5, 2009
Greater Access to Healthy Foods Recommended in Fair Budget Coalition Report
Yesterday, the Fair Budget Coalition released its annual budget recommendation report Shared Challenges, Shared Solutions, Shared Opportunities (pdf), urging the D.C. Council and Mayor Adrian Fenty to adopt policies and set priorities addressing the needs of the District’s most vulnerable population. Among the nine recommendations, there are two key provisions to promote access to healthy foods, including improvements to the Food Stamp Program and creation of a Fresh Food Opportunity Bank.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Comes to D.C.!
In school year, 2008-2009, D.C. public schools received federal funding for the The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. This program provides funding for District schools to serve fresh produce to their students. It is available for a limited number of elementary schools that serve a high number of low-income students. Read our FAQ for D.C. Public Schools (pdf) on the new program. Most information is also relevant for charter schools.
January 2009
Volunteer as a Savings Promoter with the DC Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign and help create brighter futures for low-income families!
From January to April, the DC Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign helps low-income workers from across the District file their taxes for free and claim the credits that they deserve. This tax season, DC Saves and D.C. Hunger Solutions are partnering to bring food stamp outreach and other financial services, such as credit counseling, free checking accounts, and prescription discounts, directly to free tax sites. Visit www.dceitc.org or read our volunteer flyer (pdf) to learn more.
November 20, 2008 - Press Release: Washington, D.C.’s Hunger and Poverty Trends Detailed in New Publication
New Report Includes USDA Food Insecurity Data, Chronicles Participation and Service Gaps in Eight Federal Nutrition Programs.
November 5, 2008 - Creating Healthy Corner Stores Phase One report now online.
Creating Healthy Corner Stores in the District of Columbia: Healthy Corner Store Program - Phase One Research Results and Recommendations (pdf) summarizes the challenges involved in creating healthy corner stores in the District’s food deserts and recommends solutions to those challenges.
October 31, 2008 - Press Release: Food Stamp Participation High in Washington, D.C. - City Reaching 83 Percent of Eligible Individuals with Food Stamps (pdf)
The District of Columbia reached 83 percent of eligible individuals with food stamps in 2006, according to a national report released this week. D.C. Hunger Solutions Director Alexandra Ashbrook commented on the report, stating: "People in D.C. are struggling, but we are encouraged to see that we are reaching a vast majority of eligible individuals with food stamps, a critical nutrition and income support for these tumultuous times."
October 30, 2008 - Now Updated! Summary of the 2008 Farm Bill: What does it mean for Washington, D.C.? (pdf)
Title IV - the nutrition title - of the Farm Bill includes changes to food stamps, TEFAP, EBT card use at farmers' markets, and creates the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Find out more about these changes and what they mean for D.C. in this fact sheet (pdf) from the Food Research and Action Center.
