OUR PITCH FOR HELP! We think what follows here gives everyone who believes in Evanston’s Farmers Markets every reason to support Friends’ mission to help all people, regardless of means, to gain access to healthy food. In this season of appeals, we seek your financial support for our LINK program.
THE TROUBLE:
Legislators weren’t kidding when they said they would cut food stamp programs. A recent article in the Chicago Tribune (“Families Feel the Pangs of SNAP Cuts,” November 8, 2013) clearly spelled out the changes.
Since 2008, the number of Illinois food stamp recipients jumped from about 1.5 million people to more than 2 million today, an increase of about 33 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services, which administers the program.
Nearly half of Illinois’ recipients — 46 percent — in fiscal year 2011 were children, and 7 percent were elderly. Of those recipients, about a third of the heads of the households — 36 percent — were white, 32 percent were black, 5 percent were Hispanic and the race of another 27 percent was other or unknown, according to a report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2012.
SNAP recipients across the state will see cuts that vary, based on how much aid each person receives. On average, an individual will see a monthly reduction of $11, officials said. But families with a household of four lost about $36 per month.
In Cook County, more than 1 million individuals were using food stamps in September, the latest figures available. There were 66,940 people using food stamps in Lake County, 68,009 people getting the benefits in Will County and 65,011 in DuPage County.
WHAT FRIENDS HAS DONE:
Since the summer of 2011, Friends of Evanston Farmers Markets has sought and received grants from Northshore University Healthsystem, a Family Foundation and First Bank and Trust to support LINK (Illinois’ food stamp program). LINK card shoppers use their cards at the downtown farmers’ market to purchase fresh and healthy food. Friends gives financial benefits to these shoppers by adding 50-100% to the LINK money withdrawn. Since 2011, Friends has given over $30,000 to LINK shoppers. With SNAP funds reduced, our matching program is more important than ever.
Friends supports LINK users because we know that healthy food for all can lead to healthier living.
JOIN US:
Please help us to continue providing access to healthy foods by donating to Friends.
IN DECEMBER, 100% OF THE DONATIONS RECEIVED WILL GO DIRECTLY TO SUPPORT THE LINK PROGRAM.
Donate via the paypal button that you’ll find in every sidebar on our website, as well as the bottom of every page. Or, you can send a check (for “Friends of Evanston Farmers Markets) directly to our treasurer: Rene Sheikh, 1409 Wilder Street, Evanston IL 60202.
Any questions on donations can be directed to friends@
