New legislation would increase Pennsylvania welfare benefits

Philly Voice

Oct 27, 2021

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta announced a new bill alongside the Meet the Need Coalition, a statewide group of organizations advocating for TANF. The coalition includes Pennsylvania Health Access Network, Community Legal Services, Just Harvest, the Black Women's Policy Agenda and the Building Wealth and Health Network. State Sen. Katie Muth, a Democrat representing suburban Philadelphia, introduced a companion bill in the Senate.

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Inside Philadelphia’s Thriving Community Fridge Movement

Next City

Oct 27, 2021

Community fridges are a grassroots mutual aid effort to address food insecurity that is urgently needed. Philadelphia is the poorest big city in America, with a poverty rate of 23.3%, more than double the nationwide rate of 11.4%.

Center Director Mariana Chilton supports the mutual aid effort as an alternative to the humiliation and stigma associated with government assistance programs but notes they unfortunately do not address the root causes of hunger.

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Pa. uses taxpayer money to fund antiabortion organization

Philadelphia Inquirer

Oct 25, 2021

Pennsylvania is one of 14 states that directly fund the anti-abortion movement through state dollars, some of it with money diverted from TANF cash assistance, which should be used for people living in poverty. Center Director Mariana Chilton calls this what it is: "a form of racism and sexism."

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Food insecurity rose ‘significantly’ in households with children and among people of color, report finds

Philadelphia Inquirer

Sep 08, 2021

New USDA report shows food insecurity rose for people living in Black and Hispanic households, even though the overall U.S. food insecurity rate of 10.5%, or 13.8 million households, remained the same between 2019 and 2020. Center Director Mariana Chilton ways in.

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I’m forced to live off $205 a month under Pa.’s outdated welfare system

Philadelphia Inquirer

Aug 20, 2021

This week marks the 25th anniversary of so-called welfare reform, which produced the program of cash assistance known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Network member Leona Brown shares the challenges she faces trying to get by with two kids on the limited cash assistance she receives on TANF.

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25 years after welfare reform, the system is pared down as intended. But critics say the program is failing.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Aug 13, 2021

Next Sunday marks the 25th anniversary of so-called welfare reform, which produced the program of cash assistance known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Some scholars and advocates, including Center Director Mariana Chilton and Network member Alisha Gillespie, say what’s developed isn’t reform but a “punitive,” “racist,” “dehumanizing” institution that does little to ameliorate poverty.

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Reducing Child Poverty by Expanding Child Tax Credits

WHYY

Jul 21, 2021

Center for Hunger-Free Communities Director Mariana Chilton and Building Wealth and Health Network members Imani Sullivan and Alisha Gillespie discuss the impact of the new child tax credits on child poverty.

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Cash From Child Tax Credit Lands In Family Bank Accounts Across Mountain West

KUNC

Jul 15, 2021

Center Director Mariana Chilton was quoted in an article about the new child tax credit payments that began being distributed in July. 

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COVID-19, Kids and Food

KCUR 89.3

Jun 01, 2021

Center Director Mariana Chilton was part of a discussion on factors that cause hunger including, discrimination and government policies.

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A Hungry Child's First Thousand Days

Washington Monthly

May 27, 2021

Research from the Grow Clinic which began at the Center for Hunger-Free Communities is discussed in this article about malnourished children.

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Pandemic Makes Childhood Hunger Worse Experts Say; Inadequate Food Threatens Children’s Health

Fox 8 - WVUE-TV

May 19, 2021

Center Director Mariana Chilton was quoted in an article looking at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on childhood hunger in Louisiana following a SciLine press briefing.

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This is How the City Must Tackle Behavioral Health Needs with the American Rescue Plan Money

Generocity

Apr 14, 2021

The Building Wealth and Health Network was mentioned in an article by guest columnist Joe Pyle where he says "Addressing the behavioral health needs of all Philadelphians will require robust, cross-sector interventions across a spectrum of health promotion, prevention and early intervention, treatment, and maintenance."

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Editorial: Can We Turn the Corner on Hunger?

Philadelphia Inquirer

Apr 08, 2021

The Center for Hunger-Free Communities was mentioned in a staff editorial for work with Community Legal Services to make more permanent changes to public assistance by increasing SNAP funds available to families.

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President Biden’s Economic Relief Package Could Cut Childhood Poverty in Half — But It’s Only Temporary

Philadelphia Inquirer

Jan 25, 2021

President Joe Biden has announced a lofty goal in the opening days of his administration: Cut the rate of childhood poverty in half.

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Philadelphia Scholars Back Global Report Warning of Climate Change’s Irreversible Effects

KYW NewsRadio

Jan 06, 2021

In 2018, British scholar Jem Bendell predicted climate change will result in a “societal collapse” by 2030, involving starvation, migration, disease, war, and disruptions in power and social systems — which, obviously, stirred widespread panic and criticism.

Naysayers claim Bendell’s report, titled “Deep Adaptation,” is not backed by science. However, his recently revised report now has 500 scholars worldwide endorsing his estimates, including some from the Delaware Valley.

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