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The Plan to End Childhood Hunger

Help families meet needs at home with food stamps

The best way to end hunger is to help families help themselves.

One of the effective tools to help parents can put food on the table is the federal Food Stamp Program. But one in five District families who are eligible for food stamps don't receive them. A majority of that group never even applies for the help, mistakenly assuming they aren't eligible — either because they work, or because they are immigrants. Many others are deterred from applying because they cannot take time off work to complete the required in-person interview.

We'll conduct an outreach effort to correct the popular myths by providing information for low-wage employers to pass on to their workers, and making sure program information is translated into languages spoken by many new immigrants to the District. We'll also spread the word that the government provides exemptions from the in-person interview for people who work and cannot attend an interview.

Two-Year Action Plan

  • Provide translations of program materials into Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese to increase participation among eligible immigrants.
  • Promote availability of telephone interviews for working families.
  • Conduct outreach through employers of low-wage workers to maximize participation.

Action Steps

  • Streamline application process.
  • Increase awareness about the Food Stamp program.
  • Provide applications in multiple languages.
  • Provide outreach materials in multiple languages.

Measures of Success

  • It is easier to apply. Participation rate & % change in food stamp program.
  • Application is offered in key non-English languages.
  • Outreach materials are offered in key non-English languages.