Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger Explained

Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger
Type:Non-profit
Foundation:1996
Location:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Key People:Laura Wall, (executive director)

The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger (GPCAH) is a support organization for residents in the Greater Philadelphia region founded in 1996. Its mission is connecting people with food assistance programs including, SNAP benefits, food banks, soup kitchens and "to build a community where all people have the food they need to lead healthy lives".[1]

History

The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger was founded in 1996 as an organization which can help network people to food, shelter and connections with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. In 2019 Alyssa Bradley, advocacy and communications associate stated "we are working to help out in a couple of different ways. We are helping folks sign up for SNAP benefits if they do qualify".[2] Kathy Fisher, policy director wants to eradicated the stigma that views food stamps users as "freeloaders".[3]

During the 2018 "Eaglesgiving" event, Laura Wall, executive director of the GPCAH, worked with the Philadelphia Eagles to assist in selecting the Feast of Justice. She was impressed with the effort the Eagles put into the event.[4]

In 2019, the United States federal government shutdown delayed SNAP benefits from being received prompting phone calls from SNAP recipients to GPCAH.[5] The organization worked "to connect government workers affected by the shutdown with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits".[2]

Stroehmann Walk + Run Against Hunger

The Coalition organizes the annual Stroehmann Walk+Run Against Hunger, which is a 5K race held in April that raises funds for more than 100 food pantries, soup kitchens and hunger-relief agencies in Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey.[6]

The Walk+Run Against also benefits the region's leading hunger-relief agencies, including the Coalition Against Hunger, The Food Trust, SHARE Food Program and Philabundance.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About Us. Coalition Against Hunger. 31 January 2019.
  2. Web site: Government workers affected by shutdown receive aid from Philly food banks. Bulter, Michael. Metro US. 2019-01-22. 31 January 2019.
  3. Web site: Hunger in Philadelphia: 'It's a Pain in My Belly'. Lubrano, Alfred. U.S. News & World Report. 2018-05-26. 31 January 2019.
  4. Web site: An 'Eaglesgiving' To Put Things In Perspective. Foley, Graham. philadelphiaeagles.com. 2018-11-22. 31 January 2019.
  5. Web site: Because of shutdown, February food stamps disbursed on Wednesday. Lubrano . Alfred. philly.com. 16 January 2019. 31 January 2019.
  6. Web site: How Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger finds corporate sponsors for its fundraising events. Hong, Albert. Generocity Philly. 2017-04-03. 31 January 2019.