Every year, the Coalition helps over 4,000 residents apply for SNAP (food stamps) and other public benefits.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is our nation's most effective program in the fight against hunger. The program, formerly known as food stamps, helps millions of families buy the food they need, so they can stretch their budgets and make ends meet. 

Yet there are nearly 180,000 people in Philadelphia alone who qualify for SNAP who don't participate in the program.

To bridge that gap, the Coalition Against Hunger launched the SNAP Campaign in 2002. Every year, we screen 6,000 residents for SNAP benefits, which allows them to buy groceries for their families and frees up money to cover other needs, like rent, medicine and childcare.

In addition, SNAP is good for the economy: Every $5 in SNAP benefits generates $9 in economic activity, as those benefits are spent a grocery stores, farmers' markets and small businesses across the state, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

The SNAP Campaign reaches residents through:

• SNAP (Food Stamp) Hotline 215-430-0556: Residents of Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia counties can apply for SNAP benefits by phone. Hotline counselors are available Monday through Thursday (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Friday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
• In-Person Assistance: Since 2002, the Coalition has trained more than 450 volunteers to conduct SNAP screening and application assistance at Philadelphia health centers, CareerLink centers and other community sites. 
• Case Management: The Coalition helps Philadelphia residents who are wrongly denied SNAP benefits. With the cooperation of Philadelphia's County Assistance Offices, we resolve the majority of the 100-plus cases we handle each month.