Catholic Charities West Virginia announces a new program that assists West Virginians in applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) CHARLESTON – Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa) announced the launch of a free program designed to assist people in applying for the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Recently CCWVa was awarded the first USDA SNAP Outreach Grant for West Virginia.  This grant, along with a grant from the Walmart Foundation, will enable CCWVa to expand its efforts to educate West Virginia families about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and provide eligible families with enrollment assistance. CCWVa Executive Director Mark Sliter-Hays, said, “If one person is going hungry, that is one too many. We will continue to help West Virginians access the help they need to keep food on their tables and to keep from falling through the cracks.” West Virginians, who visit a CCWVa outreach office or call their toll-free number, will receive a personal, confidential screening to determine their eligibility for this important benefit.  Assistance in completing the application for the program is also available. In addition, they may be connected to other services that are offered in their area such as, assistance paying their utility bills, eviction notice payments and food pantries. According to data from Foodshare, SNAP is one of the most effective and efficient ways to end hunger in the state. SNAP benefits provide many needy families with vital assistance in providing nutritious and healthy meals to their families and freeing resources for other necessary expenses. Unfortunately, a large number of families eligible for this benefit are not aware of this critical resource or their eligibility. Support from the Walmart Foundation and USDA will help Catholic Charities to close this gap through outreach and enrollment assistance. Partner organizations for the USDA grant include: AARP West Virginia; Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley, Inc.; Upper Potomac AAA/ADRC Region III; Appalachian AAA/ADRC Region IV; United Way of Central West Virginia; and Mountaineer Food Bank.  “Together we are working to eliminate hunger in the Mountain State,” Sliter-Hays. West Virginians may contact Catholic Charities West Virginia’s SNAP Assistance Program by calling toll-free 1-844-292-3217 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit CCWVa on the web at www.CatholicCharitiesWV.org Catholic Charities West Virginia is open to all people regardless of their race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, marital or family status.