The Foundation and other private funders recently launched a pilot project to expand outreach to those who might be eligible to enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP — formerly known as food stamps). The campaign was developed and implemented in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services and run by Fair Food Network and Western Skyline Marketing & Communication.

Its goal was to increase word-of-mouth referrals and dispel myths about SNAP benefits among potentially eligible New Hampshire residents as well as community organizations and friends and family of those who may be eligible.

The project featured a new website, www.nhsnap.org, designed to provide a simple introduction to the SNAP Food Assistance program in order to help those who may be potentially eligible to discover if they qualify and if so to apply.

It featured social media advertising to drive traffic to the website and included direct mail to 20,000 potentially eligible households in two target communities as well as flyers and promotional magnets distributed by food banks and at mobile markets.

The outreach pilot coordinated with the New Hampshire Food Bank’s SNAP Assistance Line to provide personal assistance to those who may need help in applying for SNAP.

It was also advised and assisted by a SNAP Outreach Task Force comprised of food access organizations in the state including: NH Food Bank/Granite State Market Match, UNH Cooperative Extension, Littleton Food Co-op, NH Hunger Solutions, ORIS, Gather and the Greater Nashua Food Council.

70,000 Granite Staters currently use SNAP, but many more may be eligible.