In response, a number of alternative poverty measurements have been offered. A work group of the U.S. Census Bureau developed the

Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) in 2011.

While the SPM comes closer to measuring hardship, it is experimental and has not replaced the official poverty measure in determining eligibility for government programs. It does not compare to mainstream living standards, which may offer a better understanding of what a family really needs. The conversation about measuring poverty is expected to continue until we get it right.

We recently finished one of our favorite activities - awarding funds to help feed kids! We read dozens of moving stories about communities in need, and champions who are dedicated to fighting hunger this summer.

Thanks to the generosity of many donors, we awarded grants to 19 organizations in 12 counties, spanning the state from Toledo to Ontario, Vernonia to Days Creek.

 

Join us in congratulating the following organizations, who are going above and beyond to feed kids through the Summer Food Service Program.

Grant Recipients  

Garibaldi Grub Club, Impact NW, Harvest House Missions, Douglas County School District, Portland Parks and Recreation, Catholic Charities, Metropolitan Family Service, Grant County Commission on Children and Families, Community Connections of NE Oregon, Innovative Housing, Inc., Neighbors for Kids, Crook County School District, Salem-Keizer School District, Pioneer Baptist Church of Vernonia, North Clackamas School District, Gresham-Barlow School District, Winston-Dillard School District, FOOD for Lane County, Floweree Community Center of Toledo.

There is still time to support more communities!
We hope to award a second round of grants to communities that need help feeding kids. We are accepting funds until May 18th. Make a donation online or call Annie at 503-595-5501 x309.

SNAP is helping over 430,000 families in Oregon put food on the table, and it plays a critical role in reducing the severity of poverty, especially among children.

Impact in Your County
How many people are getting SNAP in your county, and how many federal dollars are being reinvested locally as a result?

Read the latest participation report

SNAP in the news
A recent report from USDA highlighted the relationship between SNAP and poverty. Read a commentary by David Sarasohn

Our SNAP outreach coordinator, Nancy Weed, has more to say on the role of SNAP in a recent interview on KBOO radio.

A heartfelt thank you goes to four very special hunger fighters who raised a substantial amount of funds for the kids' Summer Food program: Priscilla Lewis, Judith Johanson, Anna Geller and First Lady Cylvia Hayes. Together they rallied the business community, and each one has been an ongoing champion of reducing hunger childhood hunger.

We look forward to sharing a complete list of donors who contributed to the campaign in our next e-newsletter. Note: there is still time to add your name to the list!

A Tasty Thanks
This week we had the pleasure of being part of
Taste of the Nation Portland, a delicious event held by Share Our Strength each year to raise awareness about childhood hunger. As a beneficiary,  we are grateful for the volunteer organizers and dozens of local restaurants, wineries and breweries who spent the evening supporting anti-hunger efforts. If you didn't get to attend this year- add it to your calender for 2013!