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Hennepin County and University of Minnesota Partnership Transforms Local Food Shelves

Hennepin County and University of Minnesota Partnership Transforms Local Food Shelves

Hennepin County has partnered with the University of Minnesota Extension SuperShelf program since 2019 to enhance local food shelves. This collaboration aims to transform food shelf spaces and systems, creating more welcoming, choice-based environments that prioritize healthier options. Seven food shelves in Hennepin County have already undergone these transformations, which include improvements like new shelving, refrigerators, freezers, signage, and paint. The SuperShelf model focuses on providing shoppers with dignity and choice, ensuring access to fresh, nutritious, and culturally relevant foods. This initiative addresses the demand for better food access and aims to prevent and manage chronic diseases among vulnerable populations. The program has worked with 100 food shelves statewide, including 16 in Hennepin County, to promote shopper choice and foster human dignity.

St. Vincent de Paul Supports Dolan Springs Community with Twice-Monthly Food Distribution

St. Vincent de Paul Supports Dolan Springs Community with Twice-Monthly Food Distribution

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) is supporting the rural community of Dolan Springs, Arizona, by hosting a twice-monthly food distribution. Dolan Springs, a small town in northwestern Arizona, faces significant poverty, with many residents struggling to afford food. The community's isolation, with the nearest grocery store being a 45-minute drive away, exacerbates these challenges. Residents, including a veteran named Shaun and a regular guest named Pansy, rely heavily on these distributions. Pansy is often the first in line, sometimes arriving as early as 2 a.m., highlighting the critical need for this assistance. The initiative brings together neighbors to address food insecurity in their community.

Portland's West End Unveils New Pride Crosswalk, Signaling Support for LGBTQ+ Community

Portland's West End Unveils New Pride Crosswalk, Signaling Support for LGBTQ+ Community

Portland's West End Unveils New Pride Crosswalk, Signaling Support for LGBTQ+ Community

Dietary Choices Significantly Impact Mood and Well-being, with Specific Foods Identified as Mood Boosters

Dietary Choices Significantly Impact Mood and Well-being, with Specific Foods Identified as Mood Boosters

Dietary Choices Significantly Impact Mood and Well-being, with Specific Foods Identified as Mood Boosters

Catholic Charities Highlights Affordability Crisis Driving Food Insecurity in New York During Hunger Action Month

Catholic Charities Highlights Affordability Crisis Driving Food Insecurity in New York During Hunger Action Month

Catholic Charities of New York is drawing attention to the escalating affordability crisis in New York, which is making it increasingly difficult for families to afford food. During Hunger Action Month in September, the organization emphasizes that rising costs for rent, groceries, utilities, and transportation are forcing many New Yorkers to make difficult choices between essential needs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumer prices have risen 4.2% over the past year, while inflation-adjusted hourly earnings have fallen by 0.7%. Catholic Charities provides over 10 million meals annually through its network of food pantries, soup kitchens, mobile pantries, and meal delivery services. They also assist eligible New Yorkers in navigating public benefits like SNAP and connect them with case management and housing support.

Actor Christian Bale Opens Foster Care Village in Palmdale to Keep Siblings Together

Actor Christian Bale Opens Foster Care Village in Palmdale to Keep Siblings Together

Actor Christian Bale attended the opening of Together California, a foster care village he helped establish in Palmdale. This facility, described as the first of its kind in California, aims to keep siblings together within the foster care system, an arrangement organizers note is uncommon for most children. The 11,000-square-foot community features 12 furnished homes designed to offer safe and nurturing environments. The village will provide programs focused on stability, support, and care for children and their families. Bale emphasized the mission to transform children's pain into hope. The project, which took 18 years of planning and development, was made possible through donations, with the Austrian American Council West contributing nearly $9 million. Together California Executive Director Tim McCormick highlighted the village as a place for community, hope, and family unity. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger was credited by co-founder Dr. Eric Esrailian for her role in bringing the projec...

Extreme Heat Warning Issued for Southern Nevada

Extreme Heat Warning Issued for Southern Nevada

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for Southern Nevada, including the Las Vegas Valley. The warning is in effect from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time today. Residents and visitors in the region are advised to prepare for dangerously high temperatures. This heat event is expected to bring significant discomfort and potential health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions. The use of cooling measures, such as misters, is encouraged to mitigate the effects of the heat.

AllOne Foundation Invests $975,000 to Combat Hunger in Pennsylvania Amid Rising Demand

AllOne Foundation Invests $975,000 to Combat Hunger in Pennsylvania Amid Rising Demand

The AllOne Foundation is investing $975,000 to support three organizations in Pennsylvania that are addressing food insecurity: Second Harvest Food Bank in the Poconos and Lehigh Valley, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, and CEO Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank in Luzerne County. This funding comes during Hunger Action Month, a period dedicated to raising awareness and mobilizing efforts against hunger. Food bank leaders report a 40 percent increase in demand for services across Pennsylvania over the last two years. John Cosgrove, CEO of AllOne Foundation and Charities, highlighted that food insecurity affects all segments of the community, including underprivileged individuals, working families, and seniors. The initiative aims to help these food banks maintain stocked shelves and provide healthier food options to those in need, as rising grocery prices, housing costs, and utility bills make it increasingly difficult for families to afford basic necessities.

Mississippi Faces Potential $75 Million SNAP Cost Due to Federal Rule Changes and Error Rates

Mississippi Faces Potential $75 Million SNAP Cost Due to Federal Rule Changes and Error Rates

Mississippi is facing a potential annual cost of $75 million for its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to new federal requirements and the state's payment error rate. Starting October 1, states will be responsible for 75% of SNAP administrative costs, an increase from the previous 50%. Furthermore, beginning in fiscal year 2028, states may be required to contribute directly to SNAP benefit costs based on their payment error rates. Mississippi's payment error rate for fiscal year 2025 was 9.51%, which, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, would place the state in the 10% cost-share tier, equating to approximately $75 million annually. Governor Tate Reeves has stated that reducing this error rate is a priority, aiming to get it below 8% to lower the state's share to 5%, which would cost an estimated $40 million annually. The USDA defines payment error rates as a measure of accuracy in determining eligibility and benefit amounts, including overpayments and under...

Upper Valley Haven Opens New Patrick and Marcelle Leahy Shelter and Resource Center

Upper Valley Haven Opens New Patrick and Marcelle Leahy Shelter and Resource Center

The Upper Valley Haven has officially dedicated its new year-round shelter and resource center, named the Patrick and Marcelle Leahy Shelter and Resource Center, located at 608 North Main St. in White River Junction. The facility, which has been under construction for over a year, features a 20-bed emergency shelter on its second floor and a daytime resource center on the first. The Haven's executive director, Will Towne, highlighted the center's purpose to provide immediate relief, including bed reservations, meals, and staff support, addressing the issue of often-full shelters and long waitlists across the state. The center is designed to offer semi-private pods for overnight guests and will be staffed around the clock, allowing guests to connect with Haven service coordinators. The first-floor resource center will also serve community members who are precariously housed or navigating difficult times, offering computer workspaces for job applications and benefit enrollments.

Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and Orrville Railroad Heritage Society Partner to Provide Nearly 8,000 Meals

Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and Orrville Railroad Heritage Society Partner to Provide Nearly 8,000 Meals

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, in collaboration with the Orrville Railroad Heritage Society, successfully concluded its 'Stuff the Train' campaign during Hunger Action Month. This community-wide initiative gathered over 2,100 pounds of food and more than $2,000 in monetary donations. The campaign engaged 17 local businesses and organizations, encouraging them to host food and fund drives. The collected donations culminated on September 9th, when supporters gathered to 'Stuff the Train' with the provisions. This effort resulted in the provision of nearly 8,000 meals for local families facing food insecurity in Wayne County. Katie Carver Reed, Executive Vice President, highlighted the generosity of the Wayne County community and the role of donors, volunteers, sponsors, and partners in ensuring access to nutritious food.

Cincinnati Enquirer

'We can’t help you': The voices behind a groaning foster care system

'We can’t help you': The voices behind a groaning foster care system

Voters will decide whether to approve a tax increase for Hamilton County's foster care system. Here are stories from the lives behind that vote.