As we gear up for the new year and celebrate the kickoff of another tax season, I want to start by saying thank you. Supporters like you continue to show up in times of need, and we can’t express our gratitude enough. Each gift helped us to surpass our end of year goal, and raise over $28,000 in December to fuel our work in 2026. Now let’s jump straight into the work, and make a lasting impact together.

- Heather and the Just Harvest team

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Protect Victims of SNAP Theft

More than $17 million in SNAP benefits have been stolen from financially struggling families since 2022. Thank you to everyone who joined us on Tuesday for a call-in-day to the Governor’s office – urging PA to protect SNAP benefits and prevent SNAP theft. Continue fighting for this issue by taking action today.

Protect Victims of SNAP Theft

Important Updates

**Free Tax Prep Sites Open!**

Just Harvest tax preparation sites are now open until April 15th! IRS-certified volunteers are ready to help households earning up to $70,000 per year. To schedule an appointment at a tax site closest to you, visit unitedwayswpa.org/free-tax-prep or call 2-1-1.

Learn more

**Changes to Benefits**
Earlier this year, Congress passed a budget bill that includes changes to SNAP – including work requirements that some recipients must meet to maintain benefits. If SNAP recipients do not meet these requirements, they will be limited to three months of SNAP benefits for a three year period. *Use this screener from* *Community Legal Services of Philadelphia* *or visit* *dhs.pa.gov/work* *to help identify whether you should be exempt from the SNAP work requirements.*

Learn more

**Winter Farmers Market**

While the regular Fresh Access season has wrapped, there is still one farmers market open this winter! Stop by 5050 Liberty Avenue from 11AM - 2PM on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays December through March 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.

Learn more

**Community Advocates**

Thank you to some amazing volunteers who joined our grassroots organizer, Dan McCarthy, to testify in support of the Food Justice Fund at a City Budget hearing last month. And great news, the funding for the city's Food Justice Fund passed! Which means further support to organizations working hard to address food insecurity and food apartheid across Pittsburgh. Thank you to everyone who helped make this win happen.
(Dan McCarthy, Forrest Kesterson, Joel Malloy, Gabe Metnick)

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. All proceeds will benefit Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Just Harvest. Interested in donating bowls and/or other artwork? Click here!

Get Your Tickets!

**Advocacy Interest Meeting**

Join Just Harvest on Feb 12th at 6 PM for a virtual meeting where you can help us determine our 2026 priorities! We are looking to hear from you - our supporters and advocates - to know what work you want to be involved with this year. Want to learn more about different opportunities to volunteer or make your voice heard?

Register to Attend

**Just Drinks**

Join us on Thursday, February 19th from 6-8 PM at Trace Brewing in Bloomfield for a fun evening where **$1 from each beverage benefits Just Harvest!** Stop by with friends and enjoy tunes from DJ’s Pretty Tony & Paul Seif! Grab some tasty food truck bites and enjoy delicious drinks from Trace! Join us on the third Thursday of every month this year to have fun while supporting Just Harvest.

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!