UOG Cooperative Extension workshops teach management of Guam SNAP benefits
UOG Cooperative Extension workshops teach management of Guam SNAP benefits
UOG Cooperative Extension workshops teach management of Guam SNAP benefits
1/23/2019
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Katrina Camacho, an extension assistant II with the University of Guam Cooperative Extension & Outreach program, teaches a lesson on the food groups to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients. |
The University of Guam Cooperative Extension & Outreach reminds Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants to budget their next month’s benefits wisely and to avail of free workshops on food and finance management within its SNAP-Ed Program. This comes following an announcement from the Department of Public Health & Social Services that SNAP recipients will receive their February benefits two weeks early — and thus must manage the month’s benefits over a longer period — to avoid issue with the federal government shutdown.
“The situation with the federal shutdown has unfortunately affected those who can least afford it, but we welcome all to our education programs,” said Associate Dean/Director Sereana Howard Dresbach of Cooperative Extension & Outreach. “We are providing opportunities for family budgeting, food choices, food preparation and safety, as well as helping people understand how to produce their own sources of food. We hope all citizens will attend these useful programs.”
The SNAP-Ed Program benefits persons eligible for SNAP by helping them make healthy choices within a limited budget and encouraging them to live active lifestyles. The program regularly offers free workshops on the topics of food planning, shopping, and cooking.
Workshops are held as there is demand. The Cooperative Extension & Outreach office encourages interested parties to contact SNAP-Ed Coordinator Rynette Perez about upcoming workshops. She may be reached at (671) 735-2020 or perezrc@triton.uog.edu.
“SNAP-Ed is a mobile classroom that can go where our island residents need us most, especially when transportation can be a barrier,” Perez said. “Participants will have opportunities to play games, share ideas and experiences, test out healthy, local recipes, and learn to practice the skills to budget and stretch their food dollars through hands-on activities.”
For resources and more information on the program, visit https://cnas-re.uog.edu.
About UOG Cooperative Extension & Outreach
The University of Guam’s Cooperative Extension & Outreach program works to increase collaborations between the public and government agencies, private entities, and non-governmental organizations. Its partnerships foster its mission of extending research-based knowledge through outreach education programs for positive engagement of individuals and communities. It specializes in agriculture and natural resources, consumer and family sciences, 4-H youth development, and community development.