Updates and Plant-Based Resources

In our efforts to proactively assist in dealing with the current COVID-19 pandemic, VSSJ is committed to providing ongoing updates and plant-based resources. And while this is a time for physical distancing, it brings an even stronger opportunity to connect a broader virtual community while staying true to our mission of being a SOCIAL, SUPPORTIVE, and EDUCATIONAL resource for you. Please visit our Facebook, Ben Franklin Chapter Facebook, and Instagram pages. Sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of our home page.

“Black VegFest’s 7 points of Allyship for the White Vegan Community in Defense of Black Lives.” This is an educational resource as well as a pledge. Read more.

Several prominent medics associated with PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) have signed a letter sent to the secretaries of both the USDA and HSS urging dietary guidelines to ditch dairy as a way to both improve health and tackle dietary injustice. Read more.


Our Food Supply Chain and its Affect on Frontline Workers

On June 25, 2020 WHYY’s Radio Times featured an interview with New York Times reporter MICHAEL CORKERY on how COVID-19 has impacted the meat industry. He delved into susceptible conditions in plants with ineffective safety procedures typically staffed by immigrants speaking as many as 80 different dialects. Read more


Low-Cost Vegan Menus Based on USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Budget

Many people are having a difficult time making ends meet financially so we thought that The Vegetarian Resource Group’s Low-Cost Vegan Menus and Recipes would be a great resource to share. VRG met the challenge planning a week’s worth of vegan menus that people on the Supplemental Nutrition assistance Program (SNAP) could afford. Menus were planned to meet the needs for most nutrients, to provide adequate calories, to use foods that would be available in chain grocery stores, and to be easy to prepare. For the complete article, menu, and recipes click here.
 

Looking for ways to help with food aid and get veg businesses back up and running?

Here are a couple of good resources in terms of food aid and vegan promotion in Philadelphia: To donate to plant-based restaurants and serve the disadvantaged, click here.
For restaurants to sign up for monetary aid and serve health care workers, click here.


 

CDC Center for Disease Control up to date information on COVID-19 Click here

Understanding the Corona Virus Facebook link click here.

Feeding America has a local food bank finder.

If you have a small business see if you qualify for Disaster Loan assistance.

New Jersey

New Jersey residents can find a variety of coronavirus resources on the state’s COVID-19 Information Hub, such as a symptom checker and testing informationmortgage relief and housing assistancestate benefits and unemployment help and guidance on avoiding scams. The state has created a Jobs Portal where residents can search for available employment. And New Jersey is supporting older residents in several ways.

NJ Rumor Control and Disinformation Updates.

For general COVID-19 questions, call 211 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. For medical questions, 24-hour assistance is available at 800-962-1253. Text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive alerts.

If you need help with food, in addition to Feeding America’s local food bank finder, NJ state’s food bank, End Hunger NJ, lets users search for food pantries and soup kitchens by county, zip code and city.  Community FoodBank of New Jersey and the Food Bank of South Jersey offer food assistance resources.

AARP hosted a coronavirus information Telephone Town Hall with Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli and New Jersey Department of Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson On March 27th Click here for a recording of the event

Pennsylvania

Governor Wolf and Health Secretary Issue ‘Stay at Home’ Orders to 7 Counties to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19 plus other state specific information click here.

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Health offers updates on those infected, plus tips for prevention, public resources and contact information.

Pennsylvania has 52 Area Agencies on Aging that cover all 67 counties, providing programs and services you may need. Contact an Area Agency on Aging serving your local community.

If you need help with food, In addition to Feeding America’s local food bank finder, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services provides information to end hunger. Find your closest food bank and learn about other food assistance programs in your area.

If your employment has been impacted by COVID-19, you may be eligible for unemployment compensation.


Getting Take out?

Colonial Diner in Woodbury, NJ is now open for takeout. They have a
dedicated Vegetarian and Vegan menu with many options to choose from.
For their menu click here.

Please remember the restaurants that have been supporting VSSJ with discounts to our members. To see the list of veg or veg-friendly restaurants open for takeout click here


Making your own face mask?

Video: DIY”NO SEW” Face Masks (free and easy) Click here

Easy and Fast No-Sew Face Mask Click here

Study finds that some fabrics work better than others. Click here


Do You Have Pets?

Here is some great Corona Virus related information to help pet owners. Click here


Give your Immune System a Boost

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine’s advise on giving your Immune System a Boost with healthful, plant-based foods. Click here

“Let’s defend against the worst case effects of Covid-19 by strengthening our immune system through our food choices” Dr. T. Colin Campbell. Click here


Adults and Children

  • Test your veg knowledge with this Quiz from The Vegetarian Resource Group. Three levels to choose: easy, medium or hard. Great for all ages! Click here

Children’s Activities

  • Memory cards to download and print. Click here
  • Veggie counting game for younger children, Click here
  • Heather, VSSJ Archivist and Librarian, at the Pennsauken Free Library reading: The Seven Silly Eaters, (not explicitly vegetarian, but it only has vegetarian food in it.) Click here

**Bonus a fan’s recipe of the cake in the book. It is a dairy-free website, but has eggs in it. Click here

  • For more Pennsauken Free Library readings on Facebook Click here
  • Get Organic Valley’s farm related activity sheets that you can print out. Click here
  • Learn some great ideas to go from surviving to thriving at home with kids.
    See YouTube video – click here
  • Parents and Kids Facebook Group. Join the discussion with 500+ families in the Vegetarian Resource Group’s FB group. Click here


Pantry Staple Recipes

to Make while Self-Isolating that are Veg-Friendly Click here