MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger

@mazonusa.bsky.social

We are one of the nation's leading nonprofits working to #EndHunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the US and Israel. Follow us to join our efforts to make hunger a thing of the past.

The SNAP state cost-shift policy is basically a coin flip. New from our board member and @brookings.edu fellow, @laurenhlb.bsky.social a state's bill could swing from $0 to over $2 billion, based on chance, not performance. States may be forced to cut SNAP or drop it. Congress should fully fund.

The SNAP state cost-shift policy leaves the program’s existence to chance | Brookings

Lauren Bauer and Diane Schanzenbach find that the SNAP cost shift to states will fluctuate unpredictably and considerably from year to year solely based on random chance.

brookings.edu

Our grantee partner Jerusalem Food Rescuers fielded 2,300+ food requests after October 7. The real gap was not too few organizations. It was too little coordination. Israel does not need more food aid. It needs food aid infrastructure. MAZON supports the systems to end hunger for good.

Israel doesn’t just need more food aid. It needs food aid infrastructure.

In the weeks after Oct. 7, 2023, Jerusalem Food Rescuers received more than 2,300 requests for food. We could not meet them all, so we approached the Jerusalem Municipality and asked for a list of the...

ejewishphilanthropy.com

Water security is food security. Puerto Rico's worst drought in a decade could close schools and cut off school meals for kids who need them most. Federal nutrition programs already shortchange the island by billions. MAZON's Quick Reaction Fund is helping a local organization fight back.

Puerto Rico's Water Crisis Could Become a Hunger Crisis for Kids - MAZON

Puerto Rico is in the midst of a water crisis. The island is facing its worst drought in a decade and the local government is rationing water. Families are experiencing frequent shutoffs. The Carraízo...

mazon.org

Broken policies keep putting food at risk for millions. While we fight in Congress, the regulatory process is another critical arena to shape anti-hunger policy. Join FRAC & MAZON for a webinar on pushing back against harmful changes and protecting SNAP. Wed, Aug 19 | 3pm ET Register:

The Regulatory Fight Against Hunger - MAZON

As broken policies continue to put food at risk for millions of people, advocates need every tool possible to repair, protect, and strengthen SNAP and other food assistance programs. While we continue...

mazon.org

There is a longstanding Jewish tradition of asking questions, one we embrace at MAZON. We have created a non-partisan issue guide for Jewish institutions and individuals engaging their communities and candidates on the hunger crisis this election season.

Ask the Right Questions: Make Hunger an Election Issue - MAZON

Hunger in America is not inevitable; it is the direct result of policy choices. Right now, at least 47 million Americans are struggling with hunger, and that number is growing.  On July 4, 2025, the p...

mazon.org

Last week, the Senate Agriculture Committee marked up a “Farm Bill” that did not meaningfully address the #SNAPCrisis. Let's keep up the pressure! Please join MAZON in urging all Senators to only advance a Farm Bill that includes meaningful solutions for those facing #foodinsecurity. Take action:

Demand SNAP Fix in the Farm Bill - MAZON

Demand a two-year delay of the Farm Bill's harmful SNAP cost shift hurting millions.

mazon.org

The Senate Ag Committee failed to advance its Farm Bill today, with Dems calling for a real fix to the historic SNAP cuts. 4.5M people have already lost benefits, and some states may drop the program entirely. A one-year delay on shifting SNAP costs to states won't cut it.

Advocates Demand Meaningful SNAP Restoration in Negotiated Senate Farm Bill - MAZON

August 6, 2026 — Following the Senate Agriculture Committee majority’s failure to pass their proposed “Agricultural Act of 2026,” otherwise known as the Farm Bill, anti-hunger advocates dismissed the ...

mazon.org

Arizona shows what SNAP cuts look like in practice. 450K people lost aid, over 100K of them children, driven not by fraud but by red tape, caseworker cuts, and penalties that push states. Thank you to Jason DeParle of the NYT's The Daily for brining these families' stories to light.

Arizona’s Food Stamp Crisis Is Coming for the Rest of the U.S.

The number of people who receive nutrition assistance in Arizona has dropped significantly in a matter of months.

nytimes.com

This week the Senate Ag Committee considers a "Farm Bill" that could end SNAP altogether in some states. Time to be "Alabama honest," says MAZON board member Lauren Bauer: the payment error rate isn't fraud, it's paperwork. Congress must delay the cost shift and fully fund SNAP.

It’s Time to be 'Alabama Honest' About SNAP Cuts - MAZON

By Lauren Bauer, Member of MAZON’s Board of Directors This Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee will mark up the Farm Bill, which includes a one-year delay and even higher penalties for the SNAP...

mazon.org

MAZON brought together NY Jewish clergy and community members in a letter urging Sen. Schumer to reject a Farm Bill that guts SNAP. Millions have lost SNAP, including over 150K New Yorkers. Jewish teachings command us to leave the corners of our fields for those in need. Read the letter:

MAZON Gathers New York Jewish Leaders Calling Upon Sen. Schumer to Preserve SNAP  - MAZON

MAZON and nearly 100 Jewish clergy and leaders across New York sent a letter to Senator Chuck Schumer to reject a Farm Bill that weakens our nutrition safety net.  SNAP is one of the federal governmen...

mazon.org

We are excited to introduce the new MAZON.org. We invite you to explore and see what’s new. Thank you for being part of this work and for standing with us as we continue to build a future where hunger is no longer accepted or inevitable. mazon.org/news/welcome...

Welcome to the New MAZON.org - MAZON

We are excited to introduce the new MAZON.org. For months, our team has been working to create a website that reflects who we are today and supports the work we do every day to end hunger among people...

mazon.org

Our partner Jerusalem Food Rescuers made history: 70 leaders across the city's food system, from City Hall to schools to community groups, launched Jerusalem's first Urban Food Policy Forum. It's exactly the kind of systems-level change we're proud to stand behind as a MAZON partner.

Jerusalem’s surplus produce goes to waste. An upstart NGO seeks to fix the system

Group salvaging up to 10 tons of food weekly launches Israel’s first Urban Food Policy Forum in hope that citywide coordination feeds more hungry locals, keeps edible food out of landfills

timesofisrael.com

DHS just finalized regulations expanding the “public charge” rule, using immigrants’ SNAP participation against them in immigration proceedings. This is no less than an abomination, designed to instill deep fear in the cruelest of fashions. We’ve fought this before. We’ll fight it again.

Jewish Anti-Hunger Advocates: Public Charge Rule an “Abomination”

Today, the Department of Homeland Security released final regulations to expand the highly controversial “public charge” rule. This dangerous rule would use lawful immigrants’ participation in “means-...

mazon.org

Once again, Secretary Rollins is proselytizing to USDA employees. Her July Fourth email tied the nation's 250th anniversary to scripture, quoting Corinthians. Last time it was Easter, and that earned her a lawsuit from employees. Religious freedom is not optional. Read our op-ed:

When Trump plays favorites with faith, we all pay the price

(RNS) — What if a food insecure senior felt coerced into joining in prayer or saying grace before receiving food from a church program supported by tax dollars?

religionnews.com

Last year, USDA ended a program that gave tribes a direct path to feed communities with foods that matter most. MAZON partner Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative's Carly Hotved says it was the best way for low income Tribal members to access these foods. We stand with Native communities.

Tribes hope Farm Bill can feed more people and preserve Indigenous culture

Dawn and Cassius Spears would like to expand their farm’s reach beyond their farm stand, but it’s challenging.

apnews.com

Thousands of students in Palm Beach County are set to lose access to free school meals as new federal cuts and eligibility changes make it harder for schools to provide universal free breakfast and lunch. We should be expanding access to healthy meals, not putting them further out of reach.

No more free meals for students in Palm Beach County. Here's why.

Federal changes mean 55 Palm Beach schools lose automatic meal aid. Parents must now apply for free lunches.

palmbeachpost.com