A Note to the Mayor’s Office: Discrimination and Racism in Philadelphia

Sherita Mouzon of Witnesses to Hunger: Philly met with the Mayor’s Office recently to discuss the From Disparities to Discrimination series as well as mobilizing city-wide efforts to address racism and discrimination to alleviate poverty and hunger in Philadelphia. You can read her memo here.

Zip Codes and Life Expectancy

Sherita Mouzon of Witnesses to Hunger: Philadelphia was featured in a Philadelphia inquirer article on how census data suggests that populations from different zip codes radically differ in terms of life expectancy. These life-expectancy numbers are a stunning shorthand for a host of other demographic factors — inadequate education, insufficient income, area unemployment levels, community…

Hunger and Discrimination Go Hand in Hand

Sherita Mouzon of Witnesses to Hunger: Philadelphia was featured on the Philadelphia Inquirer discussing her experiences with racism and discrimination, their insidious relationships with poverty and hunger, and her collaboration with the Center for Hunger-Free Communities to publish reports addressing Philadelphia’s duty to intervene. How are racism and hunger related?  Being mistreated at school, on…

Second Annual Youth Forum- A PhotoVoice Exhibit and Youth Panel

Check out photos from our Second Annual Youth Forum on September 15! It was a fun, informative afternoon of community building and social justice. Our ten youth photographers, ages 10-16, shared their engaging work and their insights on how to address issues in their communities. Capped off by a compelling youth panel and delicious food by the EAT Café,…

The Price of Trauma

I’m a victim of the multi-generational effects of trauma, including poverty, alcoholism, mental illness, and food insecurity. Growing up in North Philadelphia, I lived in various houses with inhumane conditions. Houses that were without heat and or running water. Unsanitary houses where we had to use shoe boxes for toilets. Houses that smelled of mold…

Witnesses in Action: Tianna Gaines-Turner Talks to Congress

On May 17th, Tianna Gaines-Turner, Site Representative of Witnesses to Hunger: Philadelphia, testified before the Congressional Black Caucus and the House Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity. The event itself was a forum about the 50th Anniversary of the Kerner Commission Report, a 1967 Congressional report exploring racism, poverty, and segregation in America,…

Witnesses to Hunger: Philadelphia Spotlight in Farm Bill Policy Brief

Witnesses to Hunger: Philadelphia Site Representative Tianna Gaines-Turner recently spoke on the role of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) in supporting low-income households, and her testimony is featured in the Greater Philadelphia Farm Bill Working Group’s 2018 policy briefing, “Why the Farm Bill Matters for Greater Philadelphia.” Poverty isn’t something you can put a…

Speaking Out Against Trump’s Cruel Budget for My Daughter’s Sake

Sherita Mouzon of Witnesses to Hunger: Philadelphia was featured on the Philadelphia Inquirer discussing how President Trump’s proposed 2019 budget cuts to SNAP will cause lasting harm to children and their families. I believe that President Trump’s budget is absurd. Though I want to ignore it, I can’t let this one pass. It’s personal, and…

#WitnessesToHunger: New Haven Food Insecurity Report Released

Kimberly Hart, member of the New Haven Food Policy Council and a founding member of Witnesses to Hunger: New Haven, recently spoke with Esteban L Hernandez of The New Haven Register about the recently released food insecurity report, “The State of Hunger in New Haven.” Read the full profile to learn more about Kimberly’s work to end…

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

Members of Witnesses to Hunger frequently contribute blog posts and essays on various issues relating to poverty and food justice. This month, DIANE SULLIVAN of Witnesses to Hunger: Boston writes on the dire need for legislators to improve access to healthy and affordable food, especially for poor communities. No, it’s not Sidney Poitier. It’s the…