2023 Dallas Hunger Summit Demystifies SNAP!
The 12th annual Dallas Hunger Summit, “Demystifying SNAP & Changing the Conversation,” held virtually on October 19th, had participants from around Texas, the U.S. and abroad! Over 190 service providers, helping professionals looking for strategies, volunteers, faith-guided community members, and those concerned about our food insecure neighbors and wanted to learn attended online.
The webinar was hosted by emcee Alana Pierre, Director of SNAP and Social Services Assistance for the North Texas Food Bank and DCHS Leadership Team member. The virtual conversation sought to dispel myths, provide new language, and encourage partnerships and opportunities to present SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) more positively.
Jamie Olson, Policy and Advocacy Director for Feeding Texas, the statewide network of foodbanks in Texas, opened up with her presentation, “SNAP 101”, an overview of this federal nutrition program administered by states. Participants gained SNAP knowledge to take into their communities to help change the way SNAP is viewed. They learned how to talk about SNAP in an informed way, advocate and educate for SNAP, and help others better understand the pivotal role SNAP can play in reducing food insecurity and hunger and improving health.
Jenny Eyer, Vice President for Health Strategies at the American Heart Association and DCHS Leadership Team member, moderated a community panel spotlighting local innovative initiatives to expand access to SNAP and maximize its utilization. Attendees heard from Faith Community Health Worker Tarrian Alexander, Professor of Medicine, nephrologist and kidney researcher Dr. Donald Wesson, and North Texas Social Services Field Manager Leyda Valdez about their efforts to make SNAP more accessible and help eligible community members get the most out of it.
Click here to view the slides.
Click here for a link to the video recording.
~Written and contributed to the blog by Wyonella Henderson-Greene, Coalition Specialist, Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty
