Answering the Call

As thousands of people received furlough and unemployment notices in 2020 and even into the new year, accessing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) became a lifeline for many families in Central Florida. SNAP is the nation’s largest hunger-relief program that puts food into the hands of low-income families, seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities. This efficient program is an essential part of fighting hunger in our community. For every meal that food banks like Second Harvest distribute, SNAP can provide nine meals.

To ensure individuals, families, seniors and veterans have the help their need, Second Harvest’s Benefits Connection Outreach Program offers experienced, friendly, and full-service SNAP application assistance. During the pandemic, when many public facilities are closed or operating at reduced capacity, your support allows specialists to assist with applications through a hotline phone bank system. Residents in six Central Florida counties are able to reach out for assistance in English, Spanish and Creole each weekday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. by calling 407-295-2777.

One grateful caller was Joseph Baker. He was laid off from his job at a local pawn shop. As a single father with two hungry teenagers at home, he knew his savings would not be enough to provide for his family. SNAP was the saving grace he needed.

“Now I don’t have to worry about whether I can feed my kids,” he said. “I don’t want to be dramatic, but it saved my life and my mental health.”

Thanks to you, the Benefits Connection team has completed 867 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program applications for families and seniors since mid-March 2020, when the pandemic began impacting Central Florida.