OVERLAND PARK, KS – One in seven adults in Kansas struggles to feed their families. Their wages cannot keep up with the rising cost of groceries. Nearly half are likely eligible but not receiving SNAP benefits, which can cover a portion of their food costs each month. Why the gap? Because they either do not know about SNAP and how it works, or they are hesitant to ask for help with the screening and application processes.
Last fall, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas was awarded a SNAP Food Assistance Outreach grant by the Kansas Department for Children and Families to implement a comprehensive and much larger outreach effort. Although Catholic Charities has been promoting federal SNAP/food benefits to clients and assisting with applications for decades, the grant is amplifying these efforts.
“Through the grant, we aim to serve thousands more Kansans who are living in poverty to eventually receive SNAP benefits,” explained Tom Farmer, Director of Grant Proposals and Relations. “Our staff includes dozens of case managers who know firsthand the potential this change could unleash, improving nutrition and helping impoverished Kansans move toward economic self-sufficiency and become stronger members of their communities.”
Catholic Charities’ outreach efforts are multi-pronged and strategic to reach all populations of low-income individuals and families including seniors, working adults and legal immigrants who are eligible for SNAP but do not yet participate in this life-changing program. “We are utilizing an array of new marketing materials, social media and online tools to reach more SNAP-eligible residents, increasing their knowledge about SNAP benefits and the nutritional benefits of the program. In addition, we are encouraging clients to do a quick online SNAP benefits screening and helping them navigate the application process,” Farmer said.
SNAP is a lifeline for nearly 42 million individuals across the United States. In Kansas, it provides more than $34.4 million each month to over 93,000 households. More than 44 percent of SNAP recipients in Kansas are working families.
The program addresses food insecurity by providing eligible individuals with supplemental financial assistance for purchasing food items – an average per household member of $182/month or $5.98/day. Eligibility for the program is determined based on factors such as income, monthly expenses and household size. Participants receive a benefits card (similar to a debit card) that allows them to purchase a wide variety of nutritional food items from fresh produce to dairy products, meats, poultry, fish and other pantry staples. SNAP empowers recipients to make nutritious food choices for themselves and their families. Benefits cards may be used at traditional grocery stores and at farmers’ markets. They can also be used to purchase plants and seeds so that recipients can grow their own vegetables and fruits at home.
Last year, more than 66,000 individuals received food assistance from Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, an increase of six percent compared to the previous year. Over $11.2 million worth of food was distributed through its eight food pantries, Resource Bus, mobile food distributions, summer food program and other food assistance initiatives. “We rely heavily on food donations to help us supplement food assistance for those we serve,” said Lauren Solidum, President & CEO, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. “Realistically, we can only provide about one meal for every nine meals provided through a safety net program such as SNAP.”
With the support of the SNAP Outreach grant, Catholic Charities hopes to reach more than 450,000 Kansans, including 40,000 potential SNAP recipients. “We anticipate that increased outreach resulting from this grant will lead to more than 4,000 of our clients applying for SNAP, potentially unlocking up to $13 million in SNAP benefits for low-income families,” added Farmer.
ABOUT CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF NORTHEAST KANSAS: Founded in 1956, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is a nonprofit, faith-based health and human services agency that provides help, hope and hospitality to the most vulnerable children, women and men of all faiths. The agency offers more than 25 programs designed to stabilize and strengthen individuals and families throughout 21 counties, including 15 rural communities. For more information, visit catholiccharitiesks.org.
