The Trump administration is planning to cut the Food Stamp program. This would eliminate SNAP benefits for 3.1 million individuals and take free school meals away from the children in those families. The 60 day comment period ends on Sept 23rd, 2019. Thousands of comments have to be submitted to the USDA to oppose taking food away from working families, children, seniors and people with disabilities.
Innovative technology can quickly identify affected communities, educate them on how they will be hurt and guide them to submit comments and contact their elected officials.f
System
This campaign was launched by volunteers in two days using these five innovative apps:
1. Locate the communities that will be most impacted - Community Analyst
2. Explain what's at stake and encourage comment submissions - ArcGIS & StoryMaps
3. Collect crowdsourced videos opposing these proposed cuts - Flipgrid
4. Contact decision makers to protest with one-click calling, emails and social media - NewMode
1. Locate
2. Explain
We used a StoryMap to explain the proposed cuts to the Food Stamps program (SNAP) and what citizens can do to speak up against it. This interactive story includes links for more information, maps and videos. (An earlier bulletin on how to design a StoryMap).
Access and share this StoryMap with this link.
We created a link with FlipGrid (a free app) that explains the proposed cuts in Food Stamps and asks viewers to share their comments in the form of a 30 second video. The link includes an explanation, a short video with a prompt and links to the USDA site for the proposed rule and online form where comments can be submitted. (Details on how to use FlipGrid from an earlierbulletin)
Video recordings can be made from a phone or laptop. Canvassers can also collect video comments from the public using their phones. The videos are collected immediately and can be used in social media campaigns and on web sites to build public support against the proposed cuts.
Make a recording for this campaign with this FlipGrid link.
The StoryMap offers links for supporters to make their voice heard.
- Submit comments to the Federal Register.
- Share stories with Full Frontal by Samantha Bee.
- Communicate direct through NewMode. It channels supporters’ voices to decision-makers through phone calls, emails, tweets and letters.
Rules that hurt the public and environment are being proposed with little time for public comments. Use the best tools available to find, inform and mobilize those who will be impacted. Learn more about these tools here.
Deepak
Co-Founder, DemLabs
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