EHP to Provide Emergency Relief and Local Food Access

The Ecumenical Hunger Program to Provide Emergency Relief and Local Food Access in Midst of Government Shutdown

East Palo Alto, CA. - The Ecumenical Hunger Program (EHP) aims to alleviate food insecurity in East Palo Alto and surrounding communities and provide food and other critical resources to disadvantaged individuals and families affected by the temporary shutdown of government sponsored programs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is among the agencies affected by the shutdown, which began more than two weeks ago. The USDA supervises the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) and the Women, Infants and Children program (WIC) at the federal level. Congress has not allocated any money for the programs beyond January. The thousands of families in the Bay Area who depend on these programs for survival are in limbo, unsure of where they will receive critical resources starting in February.

“We want to make sure our local families are prepared for any disruption of government sponsored services,” said EHP Executive Director Lesia Preston. “We are watching the news closely and are communicating with leaders in the community in order to develop a contingency plan for our neighbors in need.”

“On top of the everyday thousands of people in our service area not knowing where their next meal will come from, you add in a government shutdown for families who are already struggling, it’s going to be extremely tough,” said LaKesha Roberts, EHP Associate Director. “Children and families need to eat and EHP will do our best to bridge the gap.”

The Ecumenical Hunger Program is appealing to local donors for in-kind food donations, gift card donations and cash donations. EHP is open daily and ready to receive donations Monday through Friday 9 AM-5 PM. Online donations can be made by visiting http://www.ehpcares.org/donate.html.