SNAP UPDATE: Following the government shutdown, full SNAP benefits should be going out by today, Tuesday, November 18, and disbursements in future months should be normal. The shutdown resolution funded SNAP through late 2026. However, the expanded work requirements for SNAP that were part of the Big Bill have also gone into effect (since July), which could impact some people in your community.
Here are the new rules: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/snap/SNAP_work_faqs.cgi
SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that helps feed 854,169 individuals in 439,865 Virginia households. Almost all beneficiaries are families with children, older adults, or people with disabilities.
Learn more from reading this article: https://www.wtvr.com/
Our chapter is asking for food donations this month to help those in need throughout our communities, and to help Virginians be able to gather together during the holidays.
Spice up your activism by volunteering in your Peninsula Chapter!
Here are some of the donations we have gotten so far!
We’re getting ready to visit Richmond for the General Assembly in January 2026!
U.S. Representatives
- Senator Tim Kaine
- Senator Mark Warner
- Representative Bobby Scott
- Representative Jen Kiggans
Virginia State Representatives
- Governor Abigail Spanberger
- Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi
- Attorney General Jay Jones
- Delegate Mark Downey
- Delegate Virgil Thornton, Sr.
- Delegate Shelly Simonds, Co-Chair on Education & Chair for K-12 Subcommittee
- Delegate Cia Price, Chair on Privileges & Elections; Subcommittee Chair for Health Professions
- Delegate Jeion Ward, Chair on Labor & Commerce
- Senator Mamie Locke (District 23), Chair on Rules Committee; Commerce and Labor Committee; Education and Health Committee; Finance and Appropriations Committee; General Laws and Technology Committe.
- Senator J.D. Diggs (District 24), Local Government Committee; Privileges and Elections Committee; Transportation Committee
Local Representatives
City Council of Hampton
- Mayor Jimmy Gray
- Vice Mayor Steven L. Brown
- Council Member Randy Bowman
- Council Member Carolyn Campbell
- Council Member Michelle Ferebee
- Council Member Hope L. Harper
- Council Member Martha Mugler
City Council of Newport News
- Mayor Phillip D. Jones
- Vice Mayor Curtis D. Bethany III
- Councilman Robert Coleman
- Councilman John R. Eley III
- Councilman Marcellus L. Harris III
- Councilman Cleon M. Long
- Councilwoman Tina L. Vick
Civic Engagement
We work on restoration of voting rights, locally registering voters, and encouraging civic engagement in our communities. Please find more information on registering to vote below.
Restoration of Rights: https://www.restore.
Absentee Ballot: https://www.elections.
Voting in your language
Accessible voting/Voter with Disability: https://www.
Unhoused Voters: https://vote.gov/guide-to-voting/unhoused
Leaf your mark on the movement for social justice and join your local chapter today!
We had a great Gender Justice: LGBTQ+ workshop on Saturday, November 15! The workshop focused on core concepts surrounding gender, dismantling the patriarchy, and how to get involved with our gender justice work in Virginia.
“The more I’ve been able to learn about gay rights and equal pay and gender equity and racial inequality, the more that it all intersects. You can’t really pick it apart. It’s all intertwined.” – Megan Rapinoe
Upcoming Events
Join us for our last chapter meeting of the year on Tuesday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m.
The Fundraising Committee Meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held virtually over Zoom. Please contact your local organizer (sarahm@grand-cyan-rabbit.67-208-42-13.cpanel.site) for the link and more information.
