Hunger Free America

09/02/2026

We are appalled by reports that ICE agents targeted and arrested people waiting in line at a soup kitchen in NYC, seemingly based only on the language they spoke and their skin color.
These reports tie this incident to the ICE initiative called "Operation Rotten Apple," which claims to have detained more than 2,000 New Yorkers in the past month (according to The Washington Post).

There was a time when saying "everyone in America should have enough to eat" didn't spark the kind of controversy it does now.
It should not be controversial to say people should be allowed to legally access food without fear of arrest, detention, or deportation.

Hunger Free America CEO Joel Berg described the reported incident as "both morally repugnant and economically counter-productive to target workers in this way."

We will, of course, continue to monitor this story and respect the confidentiality of anyone with information to share about this situation.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin did not say whether all those who were arrested had criminal records, but Gov. Kathy Hochul said she doubted it.

08/30/2026

Our CEO has a not-so-secret recommendation to share:

08/25/2026

This week, Feast of Justice hosted community leaders to speak on the rapidly expanding hunger crisis affecting Philadelphia families today. To learn more about this event, check out the Philadelphia Inquirer article and the 6ABC Action News report using the links in our bio! 🔗🗞️🌟

In attendance:
- Reverend Patricia Neale, Director of Feast of Justice
- Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America
- Loree Jones Brown, CEO of Philabundance
- Krishna Rami, Chief of Staff for SHARE Food Program
- Jared Solomon, PA State Representative
- Anthony Bellmon, PA State Representative
- Viktor Kagan, Chief of Staff for PA State Rep. Sean Dougherty
- Joe Picozzi, PA State Senator
- Pastor Vito Baldini, Executive Director for Small Things
- Pastor Daniel Eisenberg, Lead Pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church and Social Advocate with POWER Interfaith
- Alfred Lubrano, Reporter for Philadelphia Inquirer
- And many more!

Throughout the past year, Feast of Justice has observed the critical need in our communities as major cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program went into effect. We are proud to serve our guests and remain dedicated to advocating for sustainable policy change that allows us to continue doing so. Together, we are stronger. 👏🗣️

08/25/2026

This week, we put on our detective hats to help Hunger Free America.

As part of Hunger Free America's "Data Detective" program, remote volunteers call different food pantries, soup kitchens, and SNAP/WIC offices around the country to update their Find Food database, the largest and most comprehensive database of its kind for individuals facing food insecurity.

TMA volunteers gathered over Zoom to make dozens of calls, confirming key details like contact information, distribution times, and pick-up locations. This event made it possible for employees to contribute to Fill Plates & Fuel Hope, our year-long initiative to fight food insecurity, even while working remotely!

08/21/2026

You can advocate against hunger in less than 2 minutes: write to your U.S. Senators through our link now!
Tell them that SNAP feeds families in your state, and that you’re counting on them to reverse cuts to food aid, starting with the SNAP state cost-shift and its $9 billion cuts to U.S. anti-hunger programs: https://bit.ly/4cNV4JF

Drastic cuts to SNAP are going into effect across the country as a result of H.R. 1, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act. One of the most dangerous is the state cost-shift: a requirement that, starting October 1, states must cover an unprecedented portion of the federal program’s budget, or l...

08/20/2026

Love to see our marathon runners out training and spreading the word about hunger in America.
Go, Leah, go!!
https://bit.ly/4c3z5yh

08/20/2026

Americans know what food really costs — and how little food they can get now for their money.

08/12/2026

Our latest press release is out now: Philadelphia Hunger Soaring Due to Federal Cuts and Inflation, Say National and Local Leaders
https://ow.ly/gpoh50Zz5xP
Pennsylvania and New Jersey Lost $450 Million and $68 Million in Federal Food Aid Over a Year

Helping society move 'beyond the soup kitchen' and ensure economic and food self-sufficiency for all Americans. Ending Hunger Lifts Us All.