mRelief

Launched 2023

About

Transforming social services for the inherent dignity of all

mRelief started in Chicago in 2014 and has helped 2.7 million people access $1 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) benefits in fifteen states across the country. mRelief offers a dignified and comprehensive SNAP enrollment process including a screener, a simplified and mobile-accessible state SNAP application, and the option to apply for benefits with guidance from a trusted local partner in person or on the phone. 

Over 180,000 Kansas Citians, a disproportionate amount being Black and brown families, struggle with food insecurity. Annually, $8.4 million in SNAP benefits goes unclaimed, demonstrating the issue is accessing the benefits. By revamping the traditional application process, they expand access to eligible candidates and reduce application or re-enrollment delays, significantly increasing the use of SNAP benefits (the national average for a family is $240 a month). They will partner with community groups, local food banks and hunger relief agencies, and government and national organizations to improve SNAP enrollment for families.

mRelief’s Local Goals

15,000

Kansas City families will enroll in SNAP benefits over the next five years

$19M

of SNAP benefits will be accessed for community benefit

What Our Community is Saying

“Every day, mRelief hears back from SNAP applicants who thank us for helping them put food on the table and making the process user-friendly and shame-free. We’re so excited to partner with GreenLight Fund and the vibrant network of advocates in Kansas City to address hunger with dignity.”

Porschia Davis

Interim Executive Director, mRelief

“Social factors like food security are key to supporting community members’ overall health and prosperity. GreenLight’s process revealed critical opportunities to support families’ access to food now and in the future with responsive investments rooted in community desire.
“

Andrea Perdomo Morales

Chief Health Equity Officer at Vibrant Health and Selection Advisory Council Member

“The simplification of the process and making it available for people. Because of my personal experience with SNAP, the current system is set up to make you fail. You are set up to fail because… there are so many phone calls and information exchanges through mail before you can even know if you qualify. I called and was told I was the 100+ person in line. And that right there will make you want to quit.

What I also like is that on mRelief’s mobile app, after you complete the simple application, if you need food, housing, or other resources right away, that information is immediately available on the app after you put in the zip code. This is an important feature of the app, connecting to other resources because people don’t know where these resources are. That is why it was important for me to use the mRelief app to be more informed about the process.
“

Tonya D. Johnson

Community Consultant

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