Lancaster Fellow Foodies

Hi folks! Friendly reminder that you don’t have to be unemployed, unhoused, disabled, a veteran, a single parent or a senior citizen to go to a food pantry! 🍗🥗🥞
Especially right now, folks can’t make ends meet. Local stats that show over 70% of pantry-goers are employed. 📈

If you need food to offset the inflated cost of other things in your budget, go to a food pantry! That’s what they are there for!
There’s many to choose from and they are all unique. 🍓🥑
To ease your mind: Central PA Food Bank member pantries are not allowed to ask for detailed financial information or incorporate religious aspects. 🙅🏻‍♀️

Find one near you:

Local Food Pantry Near Me | Central Pennsylvania Food Bank FIND FOOD There are more than 1,100 soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and social programs within the 27 counties the Food Bank serves. Search for one

I’m sharing the story of when I used the SNAP program because I want folks to see that anyone can go through tough times AND how impactful the program can be.

This program is tremendously important to ensure that folks still have access to food in a dignified way, even if life is sucking at the moment.
Myth Buster - The average person is on SNAP for less than a year.

I used SNAP while I was working 2 side jobs during COVID and had been laid off. I had just gone through a divorce because my husband cheated on me, and all of sudden I had to move, come up with first month’s rent and the deposit. I no longer shared bills, had to buy household items, and had a more expensive monthly rent.
Between that, the legal expenses, and medical expenses from something that also occurred at the time, I couldn’t make ends meet. I felt ashamed to apply for SNAP but then I realized “WAIT… this is a system I have been paying into my whole life. That’s what SNAP is here for, to help fellow Americans when life gets tough”.
When the card arrived I felt a wave of relief; to be able to shop normally and not just pick out cheap food just to survive made me feel human again.
I was in shock every time the card worked at a grocery store, and VERY excited when a Farmers market vendor explained my EBT $ goes further on produce at markets.

I used SNAP for about 6 months until I got a job that paid much better and could cover most expenses. I could have stayed on longer. That would have allowed me to save up a bit more for emergencies (like when my car’s head gasket blew a few months later) but I still felt a slight tingle of “maybe someone else can use this money more”.

I only had that feeling is because I knew SNAP was always under fire. The negative social stigma has been well curated by the government and media myths, and that is not a coincidence. Even right now they are working to cut SNAP benefits again.

So PLEASE sign this petition and if you feel up to it, call your representatives. You most likely will get an aide or a voicemail.
All you have to say is - “don’t cut anymore SNAP benefits, in fact, add more!”

Can you sign our petition asking Congress to renew SNAP WITHOUT cuts to the program? Click here to sign on:

Tell Congress: No Cuts to SNAP! Add your name to tell Congress: pass the Farm Bill with no cuts to SNAP!

Hello Fellow Foodies! I’ll be a guest “chef” at Zest 🍋 for a Special Event SATURDAY August 27th!
🥖I’ll be demonstrating and then serving a meal made from seasonal & hyper-locally sourced ingredients, some grown on my (new) farmette! 🧀🌱🫐
THERE ARE ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT

Join us for a delicious night out - Check out the menu on my profile link 🦋