The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is taking another step this month to connect recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps) in Shelby County with meaningful work opportunities.
TDHS is co-sponsoring a career, education and resource fair in Memphis Saturday, March 17 and Saturday, March 24 with local organization, and community partner, Agape. The two events are designed to connect job seekers with employment, volunteer and education resources, including job search, resume writing, interviewing skills, college preparation, along with career planning and development.
More than a dozen employers are expected to be on hand including FedEx, Family Dollar and Kroger. The March 17th career, education and resource fair will be held at 3707 Pershing Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The career/resource fair the following Saturday will be held at 3463 Wingood Circle from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The career fairs follow last September’s announcement that work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) who receive SNAP benefits will be reinstated in an additional 70 counties. As of February 1, 2018, the ABAWD designation requires these ABAWD SNAP recipients to:
- Work a minimum of 20 hours a week;
- Participate in an approved volunteer program 20 hours a week;
- Study or train 20 hours a week in an approved educational activities activity.
These events are a part of the Department’s intentional strategy of targeted career/resource fairs across the state since the work requirement announcement last fall. Two additional fairs are scheduled next month in Jackson and Chattanooga.
“I believe these career and resource fairs are an essential component of our mission to build strong communities,” said TDHS Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes. “They connect people with meaningful employment or educational opportunities they may not realize were available. Strong citizens and strong communities help us create a thriving Tennessee.”
SNAP provides nutritional assistance benefits to nearly one million people in Tennessee. The program helps supplement the monthly food budgets of families with low-income to buy the food they need, maintain good health and allow them to use more of their income for essential living expenses.
(Learn more about the Tennessee Department of Human Services at www.tn.gov/humanservices.)
