Newsletter
September 2015

September Recap
Full Plates for Students Across the State

All students enrolled in Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Bridgeport, Windham, Waterbury schools can receive free breakfast and lunch thanks to a federal option known as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

Under this provision, a school district qualifies for free breakfast and lunch for all students if 40% or more of the town's students live in low-income households, defined by being enrolled in SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This ensures that children in high-poverty communities are guaranteed nutritious meals throughout the day so they can can thrive in the classroom. "This is a win-win for children in families that are struggling financially but don't necessarily qualify for free and reduced lunches..." said Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, at a recent event with EHC! and New Britain Public Schools celebrating CEP.

Another added bonus: t
his program also cuts down on paperwork for administrators and shortens time spent waiting in the lunch line!


Other districts with schools participating in CEP include; ACES, Brass City Charter School, East Hartford, Klingberg Family Center, Middletown, and Vernon. Credit to all for recognizing the tremendous opportunity CEP is for your students and school communities!
SNAP Alert
UPDATE FROM CT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
 
You may have heard if Congress does not pass a Continuing Resolution by October 1st to fund federal programs that SNAP benefits were in jeopardy.  As of Friday, September 25th the USDA directed CT Department of Social Services (DSS) along with all other state agencies across the US to distribute SNAP benefits on a normal schedule for October.  

According to the CT DSS website, at this point the USDA is "optimistic that SNAP benefits will be available for enrollees in Connecticut and other states in October, as normal."  


For continued updates on October SNAP benefits, please check the DSS website for up to the minute information.
Fueling Up With Breakfast in Meriden 

Hanover Elementary School, Meriden, CT
Meriden's Board of Education unanimously approved to make breakfast free for students at all  elementary schools in the city beginning October 1. The school district received the American Association of School Administrators' "Rise and Shine" breakfast grant to purchase equipment, materials, and offset other costs associated with implementing innovative school breakfast programs. End Hunger CT! staff are working as mentors on the project to help share best practices and work with the schools and district on a smooth and seamless start-up.

Over 50% of students who receive free or reduced school lunch in CT do not eat breakfast in the morning, so free breakfast will be a welcome relief to families in this community. Way to go, Meriden!
Policy Update:
Child Nutrition Bill
The current law, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 is due for reauthorization by September 30, 2015.
 
What is the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act?
The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, or CNR Act, authorizes all of the federal child nutrition programs, including the School Breakfast, National School Lunch, Child and Adult Care Food, Summer Meals Programs, and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Programs and WIC. These programs provide funding to ensure that low-income children have access to healthy and nutritious foods where they live, play, and learn. Congress reviews these programs through the reauthorization process. Learn more about CNR via FRAC here.

Why do you need to know about it?
Child Nutrition Reauthorization provides an opportunity for child nutrition providers and advocates to weigh in on program changes that help serve more children and families.

What has EHC! been up to?
EHC! is part of a regional advocates group called the Northeast Regional Anti-Hunger Alliance (NERAHN) who has developed and released a list of recommendation compiled from lead advocacy organization discussions and a region-wide survey. Read the recommendations here. 

Specifically, EHC! supports the following bills to be included as a part of CNR each of which would increase access to healthy meals for kids and implement streamlining efforts  for the Summer Meals and Child and Adult Care Food Program.


Kudos to our Champions
Thank you to U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty for co-sponsoring these bills and leading efforts to enhance access to good nutrition for children throughout CT!
SNAP
New Resource for SNAP Employment & Training Program
 

Evan, EHC!'s AmeriCorps Vista
The SNAP Employment & Training program has been around for nearly 3 decades--but are SNAP participants aware of the program and its benefits? This federally-funded program was established by Congress in 1987 to assist able-bodied SNAP participants (i.e. those aged 18-50 who do not have dependents or medical disabilities) in finding employment. The program provides free trainings, classes, and certifications.

Evan Cohen-Shikora, EHC!'s AmeriCorps VISTA, has been busy compiling a streamlined guide for each of the 11 SNAP Employment & Training programs throughout CT, which includes contact information, locations, and types of programs offered. This way, our SNAP Call Center Advocates can quickly refer eligible clients throughout CT to programs that fit their needs.

For more information on SNAP Employment & Training Programs, please contact EHC! at 866.974.7627.

New Data
Today, More than 1 in 7 Americans Food Insecure


Earlier this month, the USDA released its 20th annual Food Security Measure. The numbers show that in 2014, 48.1 million Americans struggled with hunger. The overall food insecurity rate was 15.4%--which indicates a small .4% decrease (less than 1 million people) from 2013.

"We have solutions to this problem so there can be no excuses," said Jim Weill, President of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) in reference to SNAP, Summer Meals, School Breakfast, and other childhood nutrition programs that are crucial for families in need.

Food For Thought
CT Ranked 4th for Fighting Childhood Poverty

In August, Connecticut was ranked 4th in the nation for fighting childhood poverty. The study was based on a variety of factors, including childhood food insecurity. 

In an August statement, Governor Dannel P. Malloy said, "We're lifting folks up, we're leveling the playing field, and we're building a state for the future. The steps we take now will affect generations to come." Find out more about the results here.
 
Did you know...?
EHC! recognizes that SNAP is essential. Did you know that in the 1970s, hunger was virtually eliminated in the US thanks to expansion of SNAP along with other federal programs? Hunger did not return until the early 1980s.

"In 1977, we went back to Appalachia where we had seen severe malnutrition...What we found gave us great professional and civic pride. America's nutrition programs had succeeded. While we still saw immense poverty, we no longer saw widespread hunger and malnutrition." 
-Physician Task Force on Hunger in America.

Help Us Help Those in Need!

The valuable work of EHC! is funded by people like you.  

Every day we advocate for and help feed thousands of children, adults, and seniors in every one of Connecticut's 169 towns. Please join our fight against hunger in our state. We can't do this without you!


We're 'Making Room at the Table' and we want you with us!
Thank You!
Liberty Bank

Since June, Liberty Bank has been donating .50 for every enrollment in eStatements to EHC!'s child nutrition work. Every enrollment adds up to more children who are well-fed throughout the day. Liberty customers: There's still time! Don't forget to sign up for eStatements by September 30th at 

Jade Marketing Group

End Hunger CT! received a generous donation from Jade Marketing Group this summer: 300 neon orange t-shirts for our Summer Meals Blitz volunteers to wear while spreading the word about Summer Meals throughout CT. They definitely captured attention! Thank you, Jade Marketing Group, for the donation--and for t-shirts that were truly eye-catching.

Your support helps us create opportunities for better nutrition and access to meals for everyone in Connecticut!  Thank you!
About Us
End Hunger Connecticut! is dedicated to ending hunger and promoting healthy nutrition by promoting access to federal nutrition assistance programs, speaking out to raise awareness of hunger in the state of Connecticut, and advocating for positive change of local, state and national programs. We provide statewide SNAP and Child Nutrition Program outreach/training and assistance.  We partner with national leaders on SNAP and child nutrition programs and you can learn about our CT No Kid Hungry Campaign here.

Have a question?  
Call us at (860) 560-2100  or e-mail [email protected] 
Thank you for staying in touch!

Annie E Casey logo
Lucy Nolan  
End Hunger Connecticut! 

 

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