This excellent update on SNAP Access, Free School Meals & Summer EBT is from the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) News Digest, dated December 2.

From combating child hunger to advocating for climate action and justice for Dreamers, the ELCA continues to live out its call to serve neighbors and proclaim God’s peace. This month’s highlights include updates from COP29, work on U.S.-Israel humanitarian aid, and support for DACA protections.

Sign the Southwest-specific Nourish Our Future petition urging our senators and representatives to end child hunger in the U.S. and around the world! From Bread for the World.

From the latest data on food-insecure households to the impact of government programs and personal stories, this comprehensive guide offers knowledge and tools for meaningful conversation. Downloadable fact sheet and video.

Guest blogger Christopher Jacobson shares about the Bread for the World-sponsored Offering of Letters at Faith/La Fe Lutheran Church in Phoenix.

Last week, LAMA had FOUR congressional meetings! Read about who we met with and what we talked about now.

The 2024 Manna Grant is open for proposals!With approximately $20,000 available, the grants support projects that alleviate hunger and address its root causes. Eligible congregations and ministries should apply by Sept 13, 2024.

Last Thursday, the Senate voted against bringing the crucial Child Tax Credit to the floor. Find out why (and why there is still hope!) here.

Renewed call for letters: Bread for the World has updated their letter writing materials to reflect the ongoing Farm Bill negotiations! Plan an Offering of Letters for your congregations now!

Community Spotlight: Learn about the Food Bank at Santa Cruz Lutheran Church in Tucson! Find out more about their innovative work now!

Read more about Autumn’s visit to Tucson and the partnership between Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Grace St Paul’s Episcopal Church.

ELCA Advocacy Update: The federal advocacy team has released an update on the Farm Bill’s status. Learn about where the Bill currently stands in the House and Senate, and where our advocacy is needed!

Last week, Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn traveled up to the Grand Canyon to tour and volunteer at the Grand Canyon Community Food Bank— the ONLY food bank in a national park! Learn more about this pantry, run by a member of our GCS Hunger Leaders Network!

Join Lutherans from across the country in advocating on another important aspect of the Farm Bill! The bill oversees international food aid programs, which we hope to see strengthened in the bill’s draft. Send our one-click letter now!

Prepare for AZ’s budget negotiations by reading this fascinating study about school meals in Arizona conducted by ASU and AZFBN. Learn about the importance of, cost of, and perspectives on school meals in our state.

Last month, Congress finally released proposed drafts of the Farm Bill! This policy is crucial to hunger relief in our country; take some time to read about the good and the bad provisions in this new proposal.

Community Spotlight: Read about the food pantry at Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church in Tucson! The pantry opens once a week to provide shelf stable food to neighbors in need. Autumn recently got a chance to pay them a visit!

Feeding America ha released this year’s Map the Meal Gap Report, detailing rates of food insecurity in our country. Check out all the updated numbers now!