The Senior Hunger and SNAP Outreach Program was co-created by the County's Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County Food Council and Maryland Hunger Solutions. The program's goal is to increase SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program, previously known as Food Stamps) participation in the senior population - one of the populations most vulnerable to food insecurity in Montgomery County. Receiving SNAP benefits would enable seniors to purchase more fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and other nutritious foods which impacts their overall wellbeing and improves long term health outcomes, especially in cases of chronic illness such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Volunteers on this program would travel to various locations in the County and commit to spending a minimum of three hours a month helping seniors understand food stamp benefits, assisting them to complete their food stamp enrollment applications, and connecting them with other senior-specific beneficial resources. Volunteers would also offer follow-up guidance after completion of applications.
This training will be conducted by Maryland Hunger Solutions, the state's largest anti-hunger advocacy organization, and will include an overview of food insecurity in Montgomery County, provide detailed information (and hands-on practice!) on the SNAP application process, and outline many of the other resources in the County that would be helpful for seniors. Please join us for this training on March 20th from 2-5pm and help to increase food access in Montgomery County's senior population!
If you have any questions or need any further information, please email Amanda Nesher at anesher@mocofoodcouncil.orgor Diana Tato-Niktash at diana.tato-niktash@montgomerycountymd.gov.
