With the new year fully in swing, we have so much to share with you. Our tax team has been hard at work helping people maximize their refunds and connect to the tax credits they have earned. While tax appointments have kept us busy here at the office, we are also getting ready for Empty Bowls – our annual fundraiser in partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank! Continue reading to learn more about this event and the other important updates we have this month.

- Heather and the Just Harvest team

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**Stand Up for SNAP**

Earlier this month, we joined FRAC’s #WhyILoveSNAP week of action. According to PA DHS, 1 in 6 Pennsylvanians use SNAP to keep food on the table every month. Continue showing up for SNAP and urge Congress to cosponsor and support the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025, which repeals harmful cuts to SNAP from the H.R.1 bill that was passed last year.

Congress Must Repeal Harmful Cuts to SNAP

Important Updates

**Celebrating Tax Season!**

Over the last month, we were grateful to be joined by Senator Lindsey Williams, Senator Jay Costa, Rep. Emily Kinkead, Rep. Lindsay Powell, and Councilperson Bob Charland at our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site to celebrate the recent passage of the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit in the 2025-26 state budget – which will benefit nearly one million Pennsylvanians. As of February 9th, our 4 tax sites have completed 374 tax returns, helped 182 households claim the Earned Income Tax Credit -- and claim a total of $64,510 through the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit so far this tax season.

Learn More & Schedule an Appointments

**SNAP Changes**
Earlier this year, Congress passed a budget bill that includes changes to SNAP – including work requirements that some recipients must meet to maintain benefits. Use this screener from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS) or visit dhs.pa.gov/work to help identify whether you should be exempt from the SNAP work requirements. Join CLS on March 9th from 1-2PM for a webinar on SNAP work requirements to learn how people can get an exemption from new rules and what to do if someone gets terminated from SNAP.

Learn more

**Winter Farmers Market**

Just two markets remain of the Bloomfield Winter Farmers Market! Stop by 5050 Liberty Avenue from 11AM - 2PM on March 7th and March 21st to find an amazing array of winter produce and goods at the Bloomfield Winter Market. Our Fresh Access program enables SNAP shoppers to use their benefits to buy fresh and nutritious food at local farmers markets here in Pittsburgh. *And*, our **dollar for dollar SNAP match** has just been extended and will be available at remaining Winter Market dates! Stay tuned to hear more soon about the 2026 Fresh Access season.

Learn more

Recent & Upcoming Events

**Empty Bowls**

Join us on March 15th, 2026 at Rodef Shalom Congregation for a friendly, informal meal of local chef-created soups, tasty breads and treats. In addition to the meal, attendees will select a ceramic bowl made by local artisans and students to take home. All proceeds will benefit Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Just Harvest. **Tickets are $35 ahead and $40 at the door.** *Children under the age of three can enter without a ticket.* Interested in donating bowls and/or other artwork? Click here!

Get Your Tickets!

**Bread for the World Hunger Advocacy Workshop**

Just Harvest Director of Public Benefits Policy and Programs, Ann Sanders, will be joining Bread for the World on March 14th as a panelist for their Hunger Advocacy Workshop. With food insecurity on the rise and federal and global nutrition programs at risk – learn how you can take action and make your voice heard. Click the button below to learn more and register. This workshop is free and open to the public.

Register

**Just Drinks**

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the first Just Drinks of the year! We hope to see you again, when we return to Trace in Bloomfield on March 19th from 6-8pm for another fun evening where $1 from each drink benefits Just Harvest! Stop by with friends and enjoy tunes from local DJs, tasty food truck bites, and delicious drinks from Trace!

Find Us in the Community

Want to catch us out in the community? Maybe you first met us at a resource fair, or found our flyer while picking up a new book from the library. Follow us on socials to find out where we will be this month & what other events are happening near you!