The Food Bank of Delaware is getting a financial boost to support its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) education and outreach efforts.
The $75,000 grant is from the Walmart Foundation.
And Food Bank spokeswoman Kim Turner says the organization is excited to use it to expand its SNAP outreach efforts in the First State.
“We know that the healthcare community is in contact with many different people of all different income levels, especially low-income people, and there is definitely more work that we can do as a Food Bank to provide more outreach to healthcare providers so they can screen folks for food insecurity,” said Turner
SNAP is the largest federal program dedicated to providing aid to millions of low-income people and families.
Turner says 17% of SNAP eligible Americans currently do not receive the benefit and only 42% of seniors are enrolled. The numbers are better in Delaware where Turner says they’re reaching 98% of the people eligible for SNAP benefits.
Turner says the Food Bank hopes to reach that other 2% of seniors, families and children that are SNAP eligible.
Turner adds the grant money will also support the Food Bank’s efforts to implement the Hunger Vital Signs food insecurity screening at health care providers throughout the State.
Turner says SNAP provides more than nutrition assistance; with lower grocery bills, she says, people are better able to pay for other basic necessities, like rent and prescriptions.
