Dear Neighbor,

It’s Urban Ag Week in Pennsylvania! In recognition, I joined Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and other local officials pm Tuesday in Johnstown to see how urban agriculture is contributing to their community.

Stop 1: Sandyvale Memorial Gardens & Conservancy

Once a forgotten cemetery, Sandyvale Memorial Gardens and Conservancy now serves as a vibrant urban green space, home to hydroponic systems, raised beds, and a community greenhouse.

Thanks to local partnerships, they grow food for school gardens, co-ops, and soup kitchens, while offering hands-on education and inspiration for future growers – all while honoring the history of the area.

Stop 2: Conemaugh Valley High School

We joined dedicated staff in packing bags for the Conemaugh Valley Jr./Sr. High School summer backpack feeding program, which ensures students have access to nutritious food when school is out. With over 90% of students economically disadvantaged, this school plays a vital role in food security.

Their efforts are supported by Governor Josh Shapiro’s Universal Free Breakfast program and the Cambria County Backpack Project, which served 1,200+ bags last year.

Stop 3: Stonebridge Brewing

We ended the day at Stone Bridge Brewing Company Johnstown, celebrating PA’s craft beer industry and the vital connection between farmers and farm-to-table businesses. Supporting local means supporting agriculture.

Tuesday’s tours showed the power of agriculture to bring people together, build stronger communities and help solve problems like childhood hunger.

Summer break shouldn’t mean empty plates. SUN Bucks provides $120 per eligible child on a prepaid EBT card to help families cover grocery costs when school is out. Children already on SNAP are automatically enrolled, and households not currently receiving SNAP may still qualify.

Visit dhs.pa.gov/SUNBucks to check eligibility, explore program resources, and submit your application.

Benefits for Summer 2025 will begin issuing in mid-July. Apply by Aug. 31, 2025, to make sure your children get the support they need.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is now open until the end of the year, providing essential support for eligible older adults and people with disabilities throughout Pennsylvania.

This initiative is designed to ease financial burdens by offering rebates on property taxes or rent, making it easier for you or someone you know to manage household expenses. I encourage you to take a moment to review the eligibility requirements and apply today by visiting pa.gov/PTRR.

Whether you’re just starting out in the workforce, considering a career change, or seeking new skills, Pennsylvania’s PA CareerLink is here to help you land your next role at no cost.

PA CareerLink offers comprehensive job listings with thousands of openings across every industry in our region, one-on-one coaching that includes personalized resume reviews, interview preparation and career counseling, skills training and certifications through approved programs – from IT bootcamps to health care credentials – and a variety of workshops and job fairs, both in-person and virtual, where you can meet employers face-to-face.

Getting started is simple. Visit the PA CareerLink website, create a free account and upload your resume, then schedule an appointment at your nearest PA CareerLink center – virtual and in-office options are available.

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is here to assist veterans who have lost their DD Form 214 or other military documents. This crucial paperwork verifies your military service and is necessary to access benefits, retirement, employment opportunities, and veterans’ organizations.

If you need help locating your DD-214 or correcting it with a DD-215, DMVA’s accredited veteran service officers are ready to support you. You can call toll-free at 1-800-547-2838, or email RA-REQ@pa.gov.

Over 2,300 veterans have received help from DMVA in the past year—don’t wait to get the documents you need!

For more information or to sign up for the DMVA Veterans Registry, visit www.register.dmva.pa.gov.

Let us continue to work together to build a stronger and safer America by searching for the TRUTH and finding the FACTS to guide our words, and our actions. Please, STAY STRONG and SAFE! Our democracy needs us to come together for the good of all.

Sincerely,

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski

121st Legislative District