July News
Tomorrow is the Critical Needs Alert—a day of online giving to Just Harvest and 200+ other local non-profit organizations providing essential human services to community members in need.
As families navigate harmful changes to SNAP and other safety net programs, it will be even harder to keep food on the table. At Just Harvest, we’re helping people hold on to their benefits, and will be fighting for policy solutions at the state level so no one is left behind.
We’re not only providing help — we’re showing up in person. This month you can find us at the SNAP Help Day at Monroeville Library (Aug. 21), the YART Sale at Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media (Aug. 23), and Just Drinks at Trace Brewing (Aug. 14). Come say hi, bring a friend, and see your support in action.
We’ve already raised part of what we need — but we still have work to do. Our goal is to raise $10,000 by August 31, and with your help today, we can get there.
Thanks to incentive funds from The Pittsburgh Foundation, your donation made today or tomorrow will go even further when you give through PittsburghGives.org.
With Gratitude,
Heather Seiders
Interim Executive Director
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Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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With the approaching state and federal budgets – right now is an urgent time to advocate for the protection of victims of SNAP theft. We are asking PA to make EBT transactions more secure by investing $14 M to begin the process of transitioning to chip/tap cards. In addition, we are urging Congress to reinstate federal authority to replace stolen SNAP benefits. Learn more here about our upcoming SNAP Skimming Press Conference.
Thank you to everyone who has shared your story with us. Right now, we are mobilizing to uplift your stories as we advocate for state and federal action to protect victims of SNAP theft. Among cuts to benefits and the ongoing rise in benefit theft – your voice is a powerful tool to share with legislators how important SNAP is to the people and communities they serve.
Interested in a follow up conversation or sharing your story? Fill out the form below (you can remain anonymous).
In recent years, Food Bucks have enabled Pennsylvanians to purchase an additional $300,000 annually in fruits and vegetables. The program reaches nearly 55,000 households in PA every year. If PA invested $2 million to support Healthy Food Incentives, we could: double the number of households reached, help families buy more fruits and veggies, and support 25 additional retailers!
Pittsburghers for Public Transit just relaunched their campaign to pressure Senate Republicans to pass a budget that funds mass transit. The state budget is over a month late, and it is critical that mass transit is funded. Utilize PPT’s letter writing tool to contact your reps and PA Senate leadership. We know that transportation is essential for accessing food – read more here about the week our Director of Community Food Access spent without driving.
Upcoming Events
Please join for a series of Virtual Lunch & Learn Sessions to see what the upcoming changes to SNAP and Medicaid may look like. Just Harvest’s Sarah Read and Ann Sanders – among other partners and advocates – will be discussing the impacts to these programs, and how to help people who qualify, not fall through the cracks. Each session will take place from 12:15-12:45 PM and can be accessed at RepDanMiller.com. We hope to see you this Wednesday, for the introductory session.
National Farmers Market week just kicked off and you won’t want to miss the fun while shopping for fresh local produce. Thanks to the City of Pittsburgh’s Food Justice Fund, SNAP shoppers have been able to multiply their purchasing power with a dollar-for-dollar match at 8 markets this season. The 7 Fresh Access markets without the SNAP match still have Food Bucks coupons available, bringing SNAP shoppers an extra $2 to spend for every $5 spent. Select Fresh Access markets will have trivia, a photo booth, a spin to win wheel, and a chance to take home awesome farmers market prizes this week!
Just Drinks is back! Meet us out on August 14th from 6-9 PM at Trace Brewing in Bloomfield for a fun night with live music, delicious food, and amazing art you can take home! AND for each tasty drink you purchase, $1 goes towards supporting local food justice! Stop by with friends and enjoy tunes from local DJ’s Edgar Um, Stealth1, Pav Gee & Paul Seif. Check out Forlorn Moon Clothing, art from Juliet Rose Designs & Max Stockdale — and don’t miss the mobile record store, Mostly Records! We will also be sharing more information about our JustART show, so be sure to swing by if you want to chat & learn more!
Ending SNAP Theft: Let’s Prevent Fraud and Feed Families. Save the date for our Press Conference with the Kingsley Association and Congresswoman Summer Lee, Representative Emily Kinkead, and Representative Abigail Salisbury. On August 15th from 2 to 3 PM at the Kingsley Association, we will be joining together to speak up for the protection of victims of SNAP theft. More than $9 million in benefits have been stolen from financially struggling families since 2022. We can’t wait any longer.
We are looking for art that confronts, critiques and transforms conversations around social justice to have in our annual show, Just Art. All skill levels and mediums are welcome! We are hosting our annual event JustART on October 16th at the Irma Freeman gallery in Garfield. This show will highlight the stories and perspectives of artists and community members through the lens of advocacy and reform. Join us in this creative discourse by submitting artwork that speaks to our mission.
Where to 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. Click the button below to find out where we will be this month & what other events are happening near you.
Thank you for your continued support to Just Harvest’s mission to address the root causes of hunger. Donate & Sign up for our newsletter below!
