Solving hunger requires not only
having the right programs in place;
it requires ensuring that everyone
who is eligible actually receives
their benefits.
One big reason for
the persistence of food hardship is the
fact that a large percentage of eligible
people do not even know they qualify for
benefits. Another is that the application
process can be overly burdensome.
Maryland Hunger Solutions is working to
overcome these hurdles by:
•
Conducting aggressive outreach to
potential Food Supplement Program
(FSP) participants
. Maryland Hunger
Solutions is waging a comprehensive
campaign to make state residents
aware they may be eligible for the FSP
and inform them about how to apply
for benefits. These efforts have been
especially critical in recent years because
the recession and high unemployment
have made many people eligible for
benefits who have never considered this
possibility and always thought of FSP as
being for someone else.
Maryland Hunger Solutions’ outreach
includes distributing materials in English,
Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese;
making numerous presentations,
including to the clients of emergency
food programs; hosting webinars to help
organizations navigate SAIL (Maryland’s
online application system); providing
information at various locations such as
senior centers and housing complexes,
grocery stores, immigrant service
organizations, and state and county
fairs; and working directly with clients
to address application barriers and help
them apply for the program.
In addition, Maryland Hunger
Solutions published in English and
Spanish and disseminated the
Guide
to Getting Food Stamps in Maryland
,
providing valuable information about
the FSP aimed at eligible individuals
and families, service providers, clergy
and congregations, businesses and
other stakeholders. Equally important,
Maryland Hunger Solutions has built
partnerships with other organizations
that regularly serve potential FSP
participants, helping them make FSP
information and application assistance
a routine part of their dealings. These
include Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
coordinators who operate free tax
preparation sites, Meals on Wheels of
Central Maryland, grocery stores in
lower-income neighborhoods, the faith-
based community, Department of Social
Services offices, and emergency food
groups. In honor of its successful effort
to offer FSP outreach at tax assistance
sites in Montgomery County during
the 2012 tax season, Maryland Hunger
Solutions was named the 2012 recipient
of the Henry L. Dixon Community Action
Award for Organizational Achievement
by the county’s Community Action
Board. Many of the clients served were
immigrants – part of a population
traditionally considered hard to reach.
•
Conducting outreach to increase
awareness of the national School
Breakfast Program
among students,
parents and school staff district-wide.
Maryland Hunger Solutions has been
F IVE YEARS OF SOLVING HUNGER AND IMPROVING NUTRI T ION IN MARYLAND
12
SOLVING HUNGER AND IMPROVING NUTRIT ON IN MARYLAND: THE FIRST FIVE YE RS
Outreach
“Maryland Hunger Solutions
helped bring breakfast to my
students in the classroom. It has
helped set a tone for the day
as kids eat with their teacher
and classmates in the morning.
It has had a tremendous impact
on our school environment.
The students are happier,
healthier, more energetic, and
focused on learning.”
—
BILL GOODMAN
,
PRINCIPAL
, MEADE MIDDLE
SCHOOL, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
