Earlier this summer, we reached out letting our community know that our SNAP-Ed nutrition classes were at risk due to cuts coming down from the federal government. In 2024 we delivered over 530 classes across the state to 1,700 children, teens, and adults. Of those, more than 90% were living with at least one chronic or severe illness. Since the funding had been officially cut, we’d been working tirelessly with our funders and community partners to coordinate an effort to still forge a path towards empowering those Georgians most at risk through nutrition education.
I am relieved and grateful to report that, as of a few weeks ago, we were notified by the Georgia Department of Human Services—which oversees SNAP-Education programming—that unobligated funds had been identified and allocated our way so Open Hand could continue its efforts for another year.
This funding is life-changing: we are now able to continue providing nutrition education, cooking classes, and even produce boxes, free of charge, for those most in need of a better way to manage their health. Thank you to the Georgia Department of Human Services, SNAP Nutrition Education program team, and all the Georgia legislators who advocated from the restoration of our pivotal programming. Together, we will improve the health and food security of our neighbors in need.
- Matthew Pieper, CEO of Open Hand
