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Take the SNAP Challenge: Raise Awareness of Hunger in Your Community

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Why Participate in the SNAP Challenge?

Could you get the nutrition you need on just $6 a day? That is the daily reality for more than 40 million people across the country who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

SNAP is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger for people with low incomes. This federal program provides benefits to eligible people to purchase food at grocery stores, supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and other SNAP-authorized retailers.

Although the SNAP benefit is vital to the individuals and families who participate, the average SNAP benefit is not enough for most people to have an adequate and healthy diet. The SNAP Challenge offers a glimpse of the struggle millions of people with low incomes face daily to obtain nutritious food.

By attempting to live on the average SNAP benefit, SNAP Challenge participants find themselves forced to make food shopping choices on a limited budget and learn how difficult it is to avoid hunger, afford nutritious foods, stay healthy, and be focused on work, school, and taking care of family.

By participating in the SNAP Challenge, you will:

  • raise awareness of hunger in your community,
  • promote the need to increase SNAP benefits, and
  • get the attention of Congress to protect SNAP.

While living on a SNAP budget for a few days cannot come close to the struggles encountered by families wrestling with all of the issues that come with poverty, your participation will help you gain a new perspective, greater understanding, and more compassion.

Nevada Districts with most SNAP Households

District 1 (Amodei)- Total Households (287,239); 46,284 on SNAP (16.1 percent)

District 4 (Horsford)- Total Households (276,224); 41,193 on SNAP (14.9 percent)

District 2 (Titus)- Total Households (310,163); 31,102 on SNAP (10 percent)

District 3 (Lee)- Total Households (309,767); 27,524 on SNAP (8.9 Percent)

Congressional Recess Action Alert

The upcoming congressional recess (March 15–23) will be a great time to engage and involve Members of Congress in the SNAP Challenge, March 18–20.

Here are some different ways your congregation can engage in the various challenge activities:

  • Participate in the challenge;
  • Take part in a SNAP Shop;
  • Host a community roundtable conversation with your congregation along with those taking the challenge and current or former SNAP recipients.  
Community-Eligibility-Provision-Fact-Sheets_NV29Download

ELCA Response to False Social Media Accusations

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Statement from Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, February 2, 2025

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America seeks to be a witness to Christ by feeding people who are hungry, caring for those who are sick, and advocating for justice, peace, and the dignity of all people. This has been the calling of the church for over 2, 000 years. 

Today, false accusations were made on X, formerly Twitter, regarding government funding to Lutheran organizations. The claims were those of money laundering and illegal payments. Yet these organizations have done the same work for 85 years in serving legally admitted refugees and immigrants. 

As church, we follow the eighth commandment of the scriptures which states: you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Despite misinformation and baseless doubt cast today on funding that supports Lutheran organizations across our country, the ELCA remains steadfast in our commitment and work with our many Lutheran partners and expressions of our church. The ELCA is also concerned for other faith based communities and organizations who have similarly come under attack.

We strongly urge political leaders at all levels of government to use their offices and platforms responsibly. They should consider the impact of misleading statements and conjecture without regard for the impact those statements have on the communities targeted by these messages. 

Our call to love our neighbors as ourselves remains steadfast: Seek the truth and share the good news of Jesus Christ as we continue to follow his teachings. 

Let me tell you a story. In the year 258, the Roman Empire, during one of its many persecutions of the Church, ordered that the Church turn over its treasure. The task fell to a young deacon named Lawrence, who was given three days to complete it. Immediately, Lawrence sold all the liquid assets and gave that to the sick and to the widows. He liquidated also all of the property and divided that up amongst the poor. On the third day, he appeared before the emperor who demanded to see the treasures of the church. Lawrence gestured behind him, and there were standing those who were sick and hungry, the poor, the naked, the stranger in the land, the most vulnerable, and Lawrence said, “these are the treasures of the church.” He was martyred for that. 

Be of good courage, church, and let us persevere.

More: Read Global Refuge Statement on “Misinformation Around Our Humanitarian Work.”

Revisiting Human Sexuality: ELCA Seeks Input on Social Statement Edits

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ELCA social statements are documents that help people think through social issues and that guide the church’s teaching and policies on those issues. However, their language can become outdated over time as laws and language change.   

The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted to have our church reconsider certain passages from the ELCA social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust in light of changes in U.S. laws regarding marriage since 2009 and in acknowledgment of the church’s understanding of the diversity of family configurations.  

A task force, with people of diverse perspectives from across the ELCA, has been appointed by the ELCA Church Council to shepherd this process.  

In early November, the task force released a set of draft edits for public comment. These are potential editorial changes only — small word changes that update the text without changing its meaning.   

The task force invites you to review these and to share your feedback. This feedback is critical for our discernment as church together, and the task force will prayerfully consider all comments before proposing changes to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly for their action. The deadline for your response is Jan. 31, 2025.     

You can share your feedback by taking an online survey or by emailing the task force directly at Reconsiderations@elca.org.   To help your discernment, several resources are posted at www.elca.org/reconsiderations, including an explanation of each.

Immigration and Refugee Resources

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As the new administration’s policies and executive orders are revealed, LEAN would like to offer some resources and alerts for Nevada parishioners seeking ways to help protect refugees in our midst.

First, read Presiding Bishop Eaton’s Pastoral Letter on Executive Orders HERE

Also, The Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA has released a statement in response to executive orders of the U.S. government. English and Spanish versions can both be found HERE!

Check out Global Refuge’s explainer of the key executive orders and proclamations that directly impact refugees and other immigrants in the United States and beyond. Click HERE.

Attend Global Refuge’s Policy and Advocacy Team on February 4 at 11 AM PT for “Post-Inauguration Days: Understanding Recent Policy Changes from the Trump Administration and the 119th Congress” Register HERE.

Plan a worship welcoming the stranger and centered on celebrating new refugees. Click HERE for the Worship Order!

Learn How Trump’s Rescission of Protected Areas Policies Undermines Safety for All by Reading This Fact Sheet Or This Handout in Espanol

Visit National Immigration Law Center’s Know Your Rights: Expediated Removal Expansion Information. Click HERE.

Print Red Cards & How To Use Your Red Card Available at Your Worship Space

Read The Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA‘s statement in response to executive orders of the U.S. government. English and Spanish versions can both be found HERE.

Share AMMPRO’s (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities) Blog With Friends & Family

Join LEAN at Lutheran Lobby Day Feb. 10

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Meet Fellow Nevadans To Advocate For Justice As Legislative Session Begins

Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada invites you to participate in Lutheran Lobby Day on Monday, February 10, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This powerful day of worship and advocacy is an opportunity to live out our Lutheran values of justice and compassion while making a meaningful impact in Nevada.

The day begins at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (1201 N. Saliman Road, Carson City, NV 89701) with a worship service that centers our efforts in prayer and faith. From there, we will move to the Nevada State Capitol, where participants will have the chance to meet with legislators and advocate for issues that align with our Lutheran commitment to justice and the common good.

As Lutherans, we are called to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). Lutheran Lobby Day is a tangible way to answer that call, ensuring our voices are heard on critical issues facing our communities.

Registration is required to participate in this impactful event. Register here and join us as we gather in faith and solidarity to advocate for policies that reflect God’s love for the world.