Dear Friend,

As we enter the season of gratitude, we at Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) are especially thankful for you — your generosity and partnership sustain our mission each day. 

This Thanksgiving, however, comes with great challenges for many families as we face unprecedented changes. The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1) sharply restricts access to essential safety-net programs and makes it more expensive to apply for legal immigration protections and work permits. The law not only adds work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP, but it also excludes refugees, asylees without green cards, TPS holders, humanitarian parolees, and other vulnerable newcomers from these critical benefits. We are also learning from our program participants that refugees and asylees with green cards are losing SNAP benefits due to unclear guidance from the federal government. 

For families who survived war, persecution, and displacement — including Afghan allies, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, and Ukrainian parolees — losing access to healthcare and food assistance is a devastating setback to rebuilding their lives. At LSSNCA, we anticipate that nearly 1,400 program participants will be directly affected. 

Without Medicaid, families go without healthcare. Without SNAP, neighbors struggle to put food on the table this holiday season. Increased fees for asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status, and work authorization put legal stability even further out of reach. 

In response, we’re working urgently with food banks, local leaders, and state partners to ensure our neighbors don’t fall through the cracks — but we cannot do it alone. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to creating thriving communities during this critical moment of need. 

With gratitude,

Chief Executive Officer

Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Philip Hirsch, the newly elected bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod of the ELCA, on his installation held on Sunday, November 9, at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., as the next bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. We are excited to continue strengthening our partnership under his guidance. 

This month, Capital Area Food Bank donated 150 non-perishable food boxes to LSSNCA to distribute to program participants at our offices and Resource Center. We are grateful for the partnership that has provided food to over 170 community members so far! 

Take Action: Tell your state elected officials to support refugees and other newcomers in the wake of SNAP eligibility cuts. 

Donate: Your gift is doubled up to $25,000 thanks to a generous match sponsored by the LSSNCA Board. 

Support LSSNCA's Winter Coat and Toy Drive: From now to December 20, donate a brand-new toy or a gently used coat to a neighbor in need. Donations are being collected at the Resource Center during its open hours.