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SNAP is the new name for a program that's been in place for decades in the state to help combat hunger. The Minnesota Department of Human Services changed the name of its food assistance program, which has also been referred to as food stamps and food support, to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP for short, this month.
In conjunction with the name change, an awareness campaign was launched this week, targeting those who are eligible for SNAP but have not yet enrolled. Hunger-Free Minnesota and Hunger Solutions Minnesota have teamed up for the statewide outreach and awareness campaign to reach seniors and the recently unemployed with information about their eligibility for SNAP.
The new campaign is one of several initiatives aimed to close the missing meal gap in the state.
Campaign materials and media advertisements emphasize the value of SNAP and show the face of those who now need some assistance in difficult economic times. This initiative benefits from a $200,000 contribution from the General Mills Foundation.
SNAP is federally funded and administered by the DHS, which is working closely with Hunger Solutions Minnesota on this campaign. The goal of the campaign is to reduce barriers to access including lack of information, confusion over eligibility or reluctance to ask for help with basic necessities such as food.
“It is more important than ever to create awareness of the SNAP and Minnesota Food HelpLine,” said Lucinda Jesson, commissioner of the DHS. “One call to the Minnesota Food HelpLine can mean the difference between eating three nutritious meals a day and having to miss meals entirely.”
Hunger Solutions Minnesota manages and staffs the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151.
“We are there to guide callers through the process of enrolling in SNAP and provide other food resources close to home. When you enroll in SNAP, you can eat well without skipping meals or worrying about paying other bills,” said Colleen Moriarty, executive director of Hunger Solutions Minnesota. “If you or someone you know are regularly missing meals, you should call the Food Helpline.”
Why the campaign is needed
Research conducted for Hunger-Free Minnesota by General Mills’ Good Works team shows that many seniors and newly unemployed are often unaware they qualify for nutrition support. Research indicated that seniors, in particular, are reluctant to seek help and may not admit to friends or family members that they are missing meals. Currently, 41 percent of eligible seniors are accessing SNAP while 65 percent of all eligible Minnesotans are enrolled in the program. Eligibility is based exclusively on income standards with verification of income required for assistance.
“SNAP is a safety net that is meant to be used in times of great financial stress,” said Ellie Lucas, chief campaign officer for Hunger-Free Minnesota. “The goal of this campaign is to help break down barriers to enrollment. No one should need to miss meals when help is available.”
“We applaud this collaborative, statewide effort to help our Minnesota citizens that have the hardest time obtaining a nutritious meal,” said Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon. “This is a great example of how private businesses, government and nonprofit agencies can work collectively to solve a problem affecting all of us.”
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates $9 in total community spending. Because SNAP is a program that is used for the direct purchase of groceries, SNAP dollars support local economies and specifically, food retailers, markets and the farmers that supply them. Revenue from SNAP food purchases is important to local economies. In Minnesota, more than 250 stores receive more than $50,000 per month from food purchased with SNAP reimbursement dollars. Increasingly, farmers’ markets are also changing systems to allow purchases with the SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
SNAP is administered by each county, following strict guidelines for eligibility. Income qualification is verified. The average benefit amount from SNAP in Minnesota for 2011 is $118 per person or $251 per household, per month. For those living alone, eligibility for SNAP participation is based on a monthly income of less than $1,498. For two people, eligibility for SNAP participation is based on a monthly income of less $2,023.
SNAP is the new name for a program that's been in place for decades in the state to help combat hunger. The Minnesota Department of Human Services changed the name of its food assistance program, which has also been referred to as food stamps and food support, to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP for short, this month.
In conjunction with the name change, an awareness campaign was launched this week, targeting those who are eligible for SNAP but have not yet enrolled. Hunger-Free Minnesota and Hunger Solutions Minnesota have teamed up for the statewide outreach and awareness campaign to reach seniors and the recently unemployed with information about their eligibility for SNAP.
The new campaign is one of several initiatives aimed to close the missing meal gap in the state.
Campaign materials and media advertisements emphasize the value of SNAP and show the face of those who now need some assistance in difficult economic times. This initiative benefits from a $200,000 contribution from the General Mills Foundation.
SNAP is federally funded and administered by the DHS, which is working closely with Hunger Solutions Minnesota on this campaign. The goal of the campaign is to reduce barriers to access including lack of information, confusion over eligibility or reluctance to ask for help with basic necessities such as food.
“It is more important than ever to create awareness of the SNAP and Minnesota Food HelpLine,” said Lucinda Jesson, commissioner of the DHS. “One call to the Minnesota Food HelpLine can mean the difference between eating three nutritious meals a day and having to miss meals entirely.”
Hunger Solutions Minnesota manages and staffs the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151.
“We are there to guide callers through the process of enrolling in SNAP and provide other food resources close to home. When you enroll in SNAP, you can eat well without skipping meals or worrying about paying other bills,” said Colleen Moriarty, executive director of Hunger Solutions Minnesota. “If you or someone you know are regularly missing meals, you should call the Food Helpline.”
Why the campaign is needed
Research conducted for Hunger-Free Minnesota by General Mills’ Good Works team shows that many seniors and newly unemployed are often unaware they qualify for nutrition support. Research indicated that seniors, in particular, are reluctant to seek help and may not admit to friends or family members that they are missing meals. Currently, 41 percent of eligible seniors are accessing SNAP while 65 percent of all eligible Minnesotans are enrolled in the program. Eligibility is based exclusively on income standards with verification of income required for assistance.
“SNAP is a safety net that is meant to be used in times of great financial stress,” said Ellie Lucas, chief campaign officer for Hunger-Free Minnesota. “The goal of this campaign is to help break down barriers to enrollment. No one should need to miss meals when help is available.”
“We applaud this collaborative, statewide effort to help our Minnesota citizens that have the hardest time obtaining a nutritious meal,” said Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon. “This is a great example of how private businesses, government and nonprofit agencies can work collectively to solve a problem affecting all of us.”
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates $9 in total community spending. Because SNAP is a program that is used for the direct purchase of groceries, SNAP dollars support local economies and specifically, food retailers, markets and the farmers that supply them. Revenue from SNAP food purchases is important to local economies. In Minnesota, more than 250 stores receive more than $50,000 per month from food purchased with SNAP reimbursement dollars. Increasingly, farmers’ markets are also changing systems to allow purchases with the SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
SNAP is administered by each county, following strict guidelines for eligibility. Income qualification is verified. The average benefit amount from SNAP in Minnesota for 2011 is $118 per person or $251 per household, per month. For those living alone, eligibility for SNAP participation is based on a monthly income of less than $1,498. For two people, eligibility for SNAP participation is based on a monthly income of less $2,023.
About Hunger-Free Minnesota
Hunger-Free Minnesota is a coalition of community leaders and citizens, nonprofit agencies including food banks and food shelves, and corporate partners including General Mills, Cargill, Hormel Foods, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Land O’Lakes, UnitedHealth Group and others. Hunger-Free Minnesota already has obtained $4.5 million in private funding to implement its strategic action plan of statewide initiatives aimed at solving the missing meal gap in Minnesota. Initiatives include system-wide changes, new partnerships, education, policy changes, direct grants and other support for local participating organizations. The coalition encourages individuals and organizations to “Fight Hunger Where You Live.”
About Hunger Solutions Minnesota
Hunger Solutions Minnesota is a comprehensive hunger relief organization that works to end hunger in Minnesota. We take action to assure food security for all Minnesotans by supporting over 300 agencies that provide food to those in need, advancing sound public policy, and guiding grassroots advocacy. Hunger Solutions Minnesota advocates for the maximum use of all federal public nutrition dollars available and works to improve low-income Minnesotans’ access to all nutrition programs.
