DHR is fortunate to have community partners that help us assist vulnerable children and adults. Maryland Hunger Solutions (MHS) is one of those partners and a critical part of our shared fight to eliminate poverty and hunger in Maryland. Director Cathy Demeroto from MHS was kind enough to take me up on my offer to write the following guest blog post. Thanks for reading!
-Ted
Collaboration and partnerships are key to ending hunger in Maryland. That’s one of our guiding principles at Maryland Hunger Solutions, and one we share with the Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR). Over Maryland Hunger Solutions’ five year history, we have worked closely with DHR leadership and staff to increase the number of eligible people receiving Food Supplement Program benefits. Together, we have journeyed around the state to reach people in need, including to Somerset County to help those still struggling after Superstorm Sandy apply for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefits. It’s a partnership we’re proud of, and one that is making a difference for low-income Marylanders across the state.
Unfortunately, the need is great in Maryland – despite it being the wealthiest state in the country. One in every eight households struggles with food insecurity. The state has large jurisdictions with high poverty rates, such as Baltimore City and Prince George’s County, while even wealthier counties, like Howard, Montgomery and Calvert, have significant areas where many low-income residents live. But we have solutions at hand – the federal nutrition programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, known as the Food Supplement Program in Maryland). Maryland Hunger Solutions is working every day to utilize and improve these programs so that all Marylanders in need are receiving the critical nutrition assistance for which they are eligible.
We do this through education, advocacy, outreach, and collaboration. We aim to ensure that the federal nutrition programs are fully implemented, research and analyze the extent of hunger and food hardship, raise awareness of these issues through education and outreach, and advocate for needed policy changes to better serve those in need.
For example, we’ve tackled barriers to participation in the Food Supplement Program (FSP). Such barriers include a general lack of awareness about the program, misconceptions about eligibility, and challenges in applying for the program. Maryland Hunger Solutions has been collaborating with DHR and various organizations across the state to improve access for more Marylanders, including non-English speaking residents, seniors and working families. We have also partnered with grocers, like Food Depot and ShopRite, and various community-based organizations and local government agencies to offer FSP outreach in stores and various community venues. By bringing FSP outreach into communities and offering help with applications, we’re able to reach more struggling households. And that means more food on the table and less hunger for vulnerable Marylanders.
The work we do is about real people in Maryland. Maryland Hunger Solutions believes it is a priority to give a face and a voice to the struggle that many face in Maryland. Our Voices of Hunger and Hope video series shows the impact of the federal nutrition programs for people across the state, and our Paper Apple Campaign brings ideas and solutions from residents in every county. Our partnership with the Baltimore Witnesses to Hunger and the Fighting Hunger and Poverty event this Thursday (3/21/13) in Annapolis amplifies those voices to show policymakers and citizens what hunger, poverty, and the solutions to ending them look like in Maryland.
Hunger can be eliminated in Maryland, and we all can contribute to this effort. Maryland Hunger Solutions encourages you to join our effort to end hunger, promote nutrition and improve the well-being of Marylanders in need. I invite you to visit our website at www.mdhungersolutions.org , follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or just pick up the phone to give us a call at 410-528-0021.
