Posts in 'Rapid Response'

In October 2025, NHN launched an emergency food drive called EAT MUCH? Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges and Villanova University joined along with many other local schools, businesses and religious institutions.  Our advocacy team is meeting with elected officials to discuss food insecurity in our region and push for equitable recovery policies. We’ve developed a Coalition Kit to expand our campaign and empower other groups across Montgomery County and the Greater Philadelphia Area to run their own advocacy-driven food collections. This simple tool makes it simple to start a collection box and join our campaign or replicate it in other communities.

Funds will support the advocacy and coordination of local education as it relates to the SNAP funding freeze.

Montco 30% successfully organized several neighborhood canvasses to champion the zoning approval of a Norristown supportive housing proposal. Grant funding was directed to compensate people to do the important work of going door-to-door in the community and making the case directly to residents. A similar need for a grassroots campaign in Upper Gwynedd Township has emerged in response to the final land development approval of the Cornerstone at Pennbrook, a LIHTC community of approximately 60 attached homes. Funding will support paid canvassers, materials, and general operating.

Montco 30% Project strategically mobilized community and led an advocacy campaign in support of Montgomery County’s proposal to open short-term housing for single adults in Norristown. The campaign helped community members understand how this space would serve a vital role in addressing the growing encampment issue in the area. The campaign motto “Let’s build a stronger, safer community together” shared out facts of the venture and dispelled misinformation to combat NIMBYism.

Funding to support Maternity Care Coalition’s Federal Administration Taskforce as it monitors shifting government policy, executive orders, and funding. The taskforce, comprised of MCC’s executive team and senior leadership from policy, fundraising, administrative operations, and direct service teams meets biweekly to share information, identify emerging challenges, and collaboratively coordinate MCC’s response. Currently, the taskforce is monitoring proposed changes to Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) program performance standards. MCC’s EHS program serves over 300 prenatal women and children 0-3 per year through center-based childcare and home visiting, including our 2 sites in Norristown. Grant funding will enable MCC to stay current on evolving policies and respond swiftly to support our clients.

ACLAMO operates the Safe Haven Food Pantries in Norristown and Pottstown while also engaging in advocacy to address the root causes of food insecurity in Montgomery County. ACLAMO joined other regional food pantries in Harrisburg to advocate for greater state support, meeting with lawmakers to discuss the challenges families face and the need for long-term solutions. The organization also hosted a Facebook Live event to educate families about recent SNAP benefit changes and share information about available resources, including the Safe Haven Food Pantry. 

Funding will strengthen ACLAMO's advocacy and awareness efforts that complement its direct food assistance, ensuring families have both immediate access to food and a voice in shaping lasting solutions to hunger.

Funding will support the purchase of food to help us serve our families and the 70 agencies during the SNAP freeze as demand increases while simultaneously federal funding is cut.

Funding to support current advocacy work in the faith community, while helping Family Promise Montco PA participate in or lead community events and capitalize on our broader community partnerships to advance our advocacy. Funding is critical to this work as we brace for skyrocketing need and worsening conditions for our families that will require us to divert as much of our budget as possible towards direct family assistance. 

To meet the urgent need of immigrants’ rights in this moment, and to keep our communities safe, Woori Center is enacting a local Rapid Response Plan including 1) Operating a 24/7 emergency hotline in Korean and English to support those in emergency immigration situations and to connect callers with legal services; 2) Doing Know Your Rights trainings for small business owners and other community members to make sure they are prepared for potential ICE encounters; 3) Pushing back on policies that harm immigrants at the local and state levels by organizing and participating in peaceful protests and meeting with municipal and state legislators to demand that authorities do not share information on vulnerable community members unless legally compelled, and 4) Improving cybersecurity and retaining legal representation in case our organization is targeted.