Notes

C-SPAN HAS UNFILTERED COVERAGE OF THE U.S. RESPONSE TO RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE, BRINGING YOU THE LATEST FROM WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT, AND CONGRESS. WE HAVE INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES FROM THE UNITED NATIONS ON THE C-SPAN NETWORKS, AND OUR LATEST WEBPAGE. GO TO C-SPAN.ORG/UKRAINE. Show Less Text
00:00:01
WASHINGTON JOURNAL CONTINUES.

00:00:08
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
WELCOME BACK TO WASHINGTON JOURNAL. I AM JOINED BY VINCE HALL. WELCOME.

00:00:16
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

00:00:19
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
TELL US ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION. HOW IS IT FUNDED?

00:00:25
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
MOST PEOPLE KNOW SOMEWHERE IN THEIR COMMUNITY THERE IS AN INSTITUTION CALLED A FOOD BANK. WE REPRESENT 200 PARTNER FOOD BANKS THAT COVER THE U.S. AND PUERTO RICO. THEY ARE CONNECTED TO 75 AFFILIATE FOOD BANKS. CHARITY AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS WERE SEAFOOD FROM THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AND DISTRIBUTED TO THE COMMUNITY. PEOPLE LEND THEIR TIME, THEY DONATE FOOD, THEY DONATE FUNDS, AND PEOPLE DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO SUPPORT THEIR LOCAL FOOD BANK. THERE IS SOME FOOD COMING FROM THE USDA THROUGH A FEDERAL PROGRAM TO SUPPORT THE COST, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE REVENUE THAT FUNDS THESE FOOD BANKS IS PRIVATE DONATIONS. Show Less Text
00:01:15
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SNAP PROGRAM. THE EXTRA FUNDING IS SET TO EXPIRE ACROSS THE U.S. MARCH 1. SNAP IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. IT IS ALSO CALLED FOOD STAMPS. TELL ME ABOUT WHO QUALIFIES AND WHAT IS THE CRITERIA TO QUALIFY? Show Less Text
00:01:38
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
THE CRITERIA IS BASED ON PEOPLE'S INCOME AND EXPENSES. THE PROGRAM STARTED IN THE LATE 1970'S. IT WAS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION, SUPPORTED BY SENATOR DOLE AND SENATOR MCGOVERN. WE HAVE ABJECT HUNGER INTO SERIOUS MALNUTRITION IN THE UNITED STATES. THROUGH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, A PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE WAS ENTITLED TO A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF NUTRITION TO PRESERVE THEIR ABILITY TO WORK, AND TO TREAT SENIORS AND CHILDREN WITH DIGNITY. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT LIFTING MILLIONS OUT OF POVERTY. DURING THE PANDEMIC, BECAUSE THE ECONOMY SHUT DOWN, THE BENEFITS PEOPLE GOT FROM SNAP WAS IMMEDIATELY RAISED TO THE MAXIMUM LEVEL. FOR THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY AT THE MAX, AND EXTRA INCREMENT WAS AVAILABLE. THOSE BENEFITS ARE SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. THEY WERE CALLED EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS. THOSE ALLOTMENTS ARE GOING TO GO AWAY. Show Less Text
00:02:49
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
THOSE WERE INTENDED TO BE TEMPORARY DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND NOW THAT ALL OF THOSE PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS ARE GOING AWAY, YOU WOULD THINK THIS WOULD ALSO GO AWAY. Show Less Text
00:03:01
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
WE ALWAYS KNEW THE EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS WERE GOING TO GO AWAY. THE PROBLEM IS, IT WAS OUR HOPE AND EXPECTATION THAT THIS ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN SNAP WOULD CONTINUE, AND THAT UNFORTUNATELY IS NOT THE CASE. WE ARE MOVING FROM A PANDEMIC CRISIS TO A HUNGER CRISIS IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS IS A TIME OF LOW UNEMPLOYMENT BUT HIGH DEMAND AT CHURCHES AND LOCAL FOOD BANKS. WE ARE SEEING SUSTAINED DEMAND GREATER THAN WHAT WE SAW AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC IN MANY COMMUNITIES. THIS IS THE WORST TIME TO CAUSE PEOPLE TO LOSE PURCHASING POWER, SENDING MORE PEOPLE TOWARDS FOOD PANTRIES. YOUR LOCAL FOOD BANK IS ALREADY STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND. Show Less Text
00:03:52
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
I WILL REMIND OUR VIEWERS, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WEIGH IN AND TO SHARE YOUR OPINION OR ASK A QUESTION, YOU CAN DO THAT RIGHT NOW. OUR LINES ARE REPUBLICANS, (202) 748-8001. DEMOCRATS, (202) 748-8000. INDEPENDENTS, (202) 748-8002. YOU CAN USE (202) 748-8003 FOUR TEXT OR YOU CAN REACH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA. DO WE HAVE ACTUAL NUMBERS AS TO HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE HELPED OVER THE PANDEMIC? DO YOU HAVE ANY MAY BE THAT WERE NOT EATING OR NOT GETTING ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD? Show Less Text
00:04:48
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
APPROXIMATELY 40 MILLION PEOPLE WERE PARTICIPATING IN THE SNAP PROGRAM LAST YEAR. ABOUT 18 STATES HAVE ALREADY DENTED THE EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS PROGRAM. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO SEE SERIOUS REDUCTIONS IN THEIR SNAP BENEFITS NEXT MONTH IS 32 MILLION PEOPLE. THAT IS ALMOST 10% OF THE ENTIRE U.S. POPULATION. $3 BILLION A MONTH IN PURCHASING POWER WILL D DISAPPEAR FROM THE U.S. ECONOMY. FOOD BANKS ARE ALREADY VERY STRESSED. INFLATION HAS CAUSED PEOPLE WHO WERE JUST GETTING BY TWO NOW NOT BE ABLE TO MEET THEIR MONTHLY BUDGETS. WHEN YOU ADD IN THE COST OF HEATING, RENT, FUEL, HEALTH CARE, FOOD IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS PEOPLE END UP CUTTING. FOR THOSE 32 MILLION WHO WILL LOSE THAT ADDITIONAL SNAP BENEFIT, THAT MAY BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM BEING ABLE TO GET BY EVERY MONTH, AND HAVING TO TURN TO FOOD BANKS. Show Less Text
00:06:03
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
13 STATES HAVE ALREADY PHASED OUT THE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS. HAVE WE SEEN ANY IMPACT ABOUT LEVEL FROM THOSE STATES?

00:06:11
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
WE HAVE. GEORGIA ENDED ITS EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS LAST YEAR. THEY SAW A 34% INCREASE IN DEMAND AT THE FOOD BANK WHEN EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS WERE TERMINATED. THIS IS A SERIOUS MULTIPLIER FOR DEMAND AT LOCAL FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS. THOSE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PARTNERING WITH FOOD BANKS TO BRING NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO FAMILIES IN NEED WILL NEED ADDITIONAL HELP. THERE IS NO MAGICAL FORMULA THAT MAKES FOOD AVAILABLE BASED ON THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING. Show Less Text
00:06:49
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
THE N IN SNAP IS NUTRITION. WHAT SAFEGUARDS ARE THERE THAT -- COULD PEOPLE USE THIS MONEY ON SODAS AND NOT NUTRITIOUS FOOD?

00:07:08
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
IT IS A NUTRITION --

00:07:10
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
IT IS A NUTRITION DRIVING PROGRAM. PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO SHOP WITH DIGNITY AT A GROCERY STORE. THEY ARE ABLE TO BUY FOOD THAT IS CULTURALLY AND DEMOGRAPHICALLY RIGHT FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND THEY ARE ABLE TO DO SO WITHOUT STIGMA. IT FACILITATES PEOPLE HAVING ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN A WAY THAT NOT HAVING A PROGRAM LIKE SNAP WITH PEOPLE RESORTING TO VALUE MENUS AT RESTAURANTS OR RESORTING TO BUYING THE CHEAPEST BOX OF CARBS THEY CAN FIND -- AND BY THE WAY, FOOD BANKING HAS EVOLVED PEST OF 1980'S. HE USED TO BE THAT FOOD BANKS LEANED HEAVILY INTO CANNED AND BOXED FOODS. NOW THEY ARE RESCUING HEALTHY, FRESH PROTEINS AT EVERY POINT IN THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN FROM THE, RETAILER,, FROM PACKAGING AND GETTING THAT TWO COMMUNITIES IN NEED ACROSS THE COUNTRY. Show Less Text
00:08:16
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE ON FOOD STAMPS. HERE IS A QUOTE FROM JODI ERICKSON. HE IS A REPUBLICAN FROM TEXAS. "A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY WILL MAKE WORK, NOT GOVERNMENT HANDOUTS, THE BEST OPTION FOR ABLE-BODIED CITIZENS. DEMOCRATS HAVE PAID PEOPLE MORE TO BE ON GOVERNMENT UNEMPLOYMENT THAN THEY MADE IN THEIR PREVIOUS JOBS. THEY HAVE HIJACKED PROFAMILY AND PRO-WORK TAX POLICIES BY GIVING THEM MONTHLY PAY CHECKS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LABOR FORCE." Show Less Text
00:08:59
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
MOST OF THE PEOPLE ON THE SNAP PROGRAM ARE SENIORS, CHILDREN, AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. PEOPLE ON THE PROGRAM WHO ARE ABLE TO WORK OFTEN ARE WORKING. LAST YEAR FOOD PRICES WENT UP 11%. WAGES WENT UP 4.7%. THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO EARN AND WHAT THEY ARE ABLE TO SPEND IS GROWING INTO THE REALITY IS PEOPLE ARE OFTEN HAVING 2 JOBS OR HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB AND A GOOD JOB, JUST TO HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO GET THROUGH THE MONTH. THE PEOPLE I KNOW IN TEXAS ARE THE HARDEST WORKING PEOPLE YOU WILL MEET IN YOUR LIFE. THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO LIFT THEIR KIDS OUT OF POVERTY, BUT WE AS A COUNTRY HAVE TO BE COMMITTED TO THAT TOO. IT IS NOT IN OUR NATIONAL INTERESTED TO HAVE PEOPLE SHOW UP --HAVE KIDS SHOW UP AT THE END OF SUMMER BREAK MALNOURISHED. WE WANT SENIORS TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR HEALTH. WE WANT WORKERS WHO HAVE FALLEN ON HARD TIMES TO HAVE THE STRENGTH THEY NEED TO RELOCATE IF THEY HAVE TO, FIND, AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT. HUNGER IS DESTRUCTIVE TO THE ENTIRE ECONOMIC CYCLE. Show Less Text
00:10:29
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
LET'S TALK TO SOME CALLERS. JOHN IS NEXT.

00:10:38
THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY CALL. I LOVE C-SPAN. I AM A SENIOR. WE ARE SNAP RECIPIENTS. WE ARE LOSING IT AT THE END OF THE MONTH. MY WIFE WORKS. SHE MAKES A LOVELY $30,000 A YEAR AND IT IS NOT ENOUGH. YOU GO TO THE GROCERY STORE, YOU PAY FOR INSURANCE ON YOUR CAR, AND I AM DRIVING A 17-YEAR-OLD CAR. THE THING IS WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? HOW DO THEY EXPECT US TO SURVIVE? I CAN TELL YOU THE FOOD BANKS ARE OVERWHELMED. YOU GO TO THE FOOD BANK, YOU GET IN LINE AND YOU ARE BEHIND BMWS, MERCEDES, NEW CARS, AND THEY ARE TAKING FOOD FROM THE FOOD BANK! WHY? THE LINE IS OUT THE DOOR. IT IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS. AMERICA HAS BECOME THE DIVIDED STATES. IT IS CRAZY. POLITICAL ENTITIES WANT TO MAKE PEOPLE SUFFER SO THEY CAN BLAME IT ON THE OTHER PARTY. Show Less Text
00:11:50
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
LET'S GET A RESPONSE.

00:11:51
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
THANK YOU, JOHN. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR WIFE AS YOU PREPARE FOR THIS SERIOUS REDUCTION IN BENEFITS. THE IMPACT OF TERMINATING THESE PANDEMIC RELATED SNAP BENEFITS WILL FALL HARDEST ON SENIORS AND MANY SENIORS WILL SEE STEEPER REDUCTIONS, AS MANY AS $280 A MONTH LOST. IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO NOURISH THEMSELVES FOR A WHOLE MONTH WITH $23 OF GROCERY STORE PURCHASING POWER. THIS IS A COMPLICATED SITUATION. WHAT WE SAW DURING THE PANDEMIC IS MANY MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES WERE ONE OR TWO PAYCHECKS AWAY FROM BANKRUPTCY. WE SAW PEOPLE WHO DROVE NICE CARS, LIVED IN NICE HOUSES, BUT BAD SAVINGS, INTO LOSING ONE OR TWO PAYCHECKS MEANT THAT THEY WERE ALSO FOOD INSECURE. THE FEEDING AMERICA FOOD BANK MAKES SURE THAT ANYONE WHO NEEDS HELP GETTING THREE MONTHS AND MAKING SURE THEIR HOUSEHOLD IS NOURISHED HAS A PLACE TO TURN, BUT THAT IS BECOMING HARDER AND HARDER FOR US TO ACHIEVE BECAUSE FOOD BANKS ARE AFFECTED BY INFLATION, EVERY BIT AS MUCH AS PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES. WE ARE HAVING TO PAID TO TRANSFER FOOD TO FOOD BANKS. WE HAVE FROZEN AND REFRIGERATED PRODUCE AND PROTEINS. WHILE INFLATION IS DRIVING MORE PEOPLE TO NEED TO TURN TO FOOD BANKS, INFLATION IS ALSO MAKING IT HARDER FOR FOOD BANKS TO SERVE THE NEED IN FRONT OF THEM TODAY. Show Less Text
00:13:40
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
GARY IS NEXT IN DATED, OHIO -- DAYTON, OHIO. YOU ARE A SNAP RECIPIENT?

00:13:48
I GUESS. HERE IN OHIO THEY CALL IT EBY CARDS-- EBT CARDS. 2 MONTHS OR SO AGO, I WAS WITHOUT GAS FOR 2 WEEKS. THERE WAS NO WAY FOR ME TO COOK MY FOOD THAT I WAS BUYING WITH MY FOOD CARD, EXCEPT FOR THE MICROWAVE. LET'S SAY YOU ARE IN A DISASTER AREA, AND YOU HAVE NO POWER AND NO GAS. I THINK THEY SHOULD MAKE IT SO THAT YOU CAN USE THE EBT CARD AT LOCAL RESTAURANTS WHERE YOU CAN GET HOT FOOD. Show Less Text
00:14:32
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
THANK YOU, GARY FOR BRINGING THAT ISSUE UP. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN PILOTED IN MULTIPLE STATES, THIS ABILITY TO BUY PREPARED FOOD.S YOU MAKE A GREAT POINT. AT TIMES WHEN PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE ABILITY TO COOK FOOD, BEING ABLE TO ACCESS PREPARED FOOD IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING FED AND BEING MALNOURISHED. THERE ARE MANY SENIORS IN THIS COUNTRY FOR WHOM IT IS NOT SAFE TO USE A KITCHEN TO PREPARE FOODS. THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE UN-HOUSED AND NEVER HAVE ACCESS TO A KITCHEN. GIVING THEM ACCESS TO COOKED FOODS DOES NOT SOLVE THE ENTIRETY OF THE PROBLEM THEY FACE, BUT IN AREAS WHERE SNAP BENEFITS HAVE BEEN USED TO PAY FOR PREPARED FOODS, WE HAVE SEEN SENIORS AND UNHOUSED PEOPLE GET ACCESS TO FOOD THEY CAN ACTUALLY EAT. IT IS AN IMPORTANT MODEL THAT SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED NATIONWIDE TO CLOSE GAPS IN WHAT SNAP IS INTENDED TO DO AND WHAT IT IS ABLE TO DO. Show Less Text
00:15:44
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
JOHN IS ON THEIR LINE FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS IN MASSACHUSETTS.

00:15:50
THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY CALL. THEY GIVE YOU ABOUT $10 A DAY WITH THE EXTRA MONEY NOW. THEY WILL CUT THAT OFF. WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO CUT OFF THE EXTRA SNAP MONEY THEY ARE GIVING YOU AND THEY WILL STILL NOT MAKE MORE COLLEGE PEOPLE GIVE BACK THEIR MONEY? THEY'RE STILL GIVING MONEY TO THE UKRAINE. WE ARE HOUSING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEIR IS NO MONEY FOR -- THERE IS NO MONEY FOR AMERICANS. WHAT ABOUT AMERICANS? WHAT ARE THEY DOING FOR AMERICANS? WIRED FACE STOPPING THE FENTANYL? -- WHY AREN'T THEY STOPPING THE FENTANYL? Show Less Text
00:16:39
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
SNAP AS A PART OF THE OVERALL FEDERAL BUDGET. OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS HAVE TO MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT PROGRAMS THEY WILL INVEST YOUR TAX DOLLARS AND AND WHICH PROGRAMS THEY WILL DEPRIVE. THE MAJOR PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT DETERMINES YOUR SNAP BENEFITS IS CALLED THE FARM BILL AND IT COMES UP ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS. THIS IS THE YEAR. THE FARM BILL IS ACTIVELY UNDER CONSIDERATION RIGHT NOW SO THIS WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT MOMENT TO REACH OUT TO YOUR SENATORS AND TO YOUR MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND EMPHASIZED TO THEM THAT YOU WANT TO SEE THE FARM BILL STRENGTHENED THE SNAP PROGRAM. YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE BENEFIT ADEQUACY THAT HELPS PEOPLE ON SNAP GET THROUGH AN ENTIRE MONTH OF FEEDING THEIR KIDS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS IS NOT AS COMPLICATED AND BUREAUCRATIC AS IT IS IN MANY PLACES IN THIS COUNTRY AND LET THE PROGRAM DO WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. IF THEY BUILT FREEWAYS, THEN HID ODD RAMPS WE WOULD -- ON RAMPS, WE WOULD BE ENRAGED BUT THAT IS WHAT WE DO WITH THE SNAP PROGRAM. WE MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO GET ON THE PROGRAM AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE ON THE PROGRAM. THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY AS A CITIZEN TO AFFECT THE FUTURE OF THE SNAP PROGRAM. Show Less Text
00:18:13
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
THE UNDOCUMENTED, ARE THEY ELIGIBLE FOR SNAP ASSISTANCE?

00:18:18
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT IN THE COUNTRY LAWFULLY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SNAP BENEFITS. WE GOT A TEXT FROM NEW JERSEY. SUE SAYS, " MANY NEED FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO SURVIVE, HOWEVER, WHAT IS DONE TO DISCOURAGE FRAUD AND ABUSE? HOW DO WE MAKE SURE HELP IS GETTING TO THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY NEED IT?" Show Less Text
00:18:46
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
THE FACT IS THAT TECHNOLOGY IS PLAYING A CRITICAL ROLE IN REDUCING ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR FRAUD WITHIN THE SNAP PROGRAM. MANY STUDIES HAVE BEEN DONE OF SNAP AND FOUND THAT IT IS ONE OF THE MOST SECURE AND EFFECTIVE FEDERAL PROGRAMS. IT IS THE CASE THAT THERE IS ALWAYS OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVEMENT. ONE OF THE LATEST CHALLENGES IN THE SNAP PROGRAM SO-CALLED SKIMMING WHERE PEOPLE ARE PUTTING PHONY CARD READERS AND FRONT OF THE REAL CARD READERS AT RETAIL OUTLETS, AND WHEN SNAP RECIPIENTS SLIDE THERE EBT CARDS THROUGH THEIR DATA IS BEING USED TO DRAIN THEIR SNAP BENEFIT LEVELS FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH. CONGRESS IS WORKING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THERE WERE SOME SOLUTIONS IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE OMNIBUS SPENDING BILL PASSED 2 MONTHS AGO. OUR LEADERSHIP AT THE USDA IS WORKING TO ADDRESS THAT SNAP SKIMMING BUT WHEREVER FRAUD EXISTS THERE ARE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS THAT HELP US TO ADDRESS THAT FRAUD AND MAKE THE PROGRAM STRONGER BY GETTING BENEFITS TO THE PEOPLE IT IS INTENDED TO SERVE. Show Less Text
00:19:56
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
LET'S GO TO SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS NEXT.

00:20:00
GOOD MORNING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT COUNTRY WE ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT. AMERICA SHOULD GO ON A DIET FOR 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR ANYWAYS. MOST PEOPLE ARE OBESE. OUR FORCES CANNOT RECRUIT ENOUGH PEOPLE BECAUSE OF OBESITY. WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE REALLY? I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. Show Less Text
00:20:24
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
YOU MAKE A GREAT POINT ABOUT THE ARMED FORCES. THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY, AND FIT ENOUGH TO SERVE IN THE ARMED SERVICES IS AT A LOW POINT IN RECENT DECADES AND INVESTING IN NUTRITION IS A WAY OF INVESTING IN THE HEALTH AND SECURITY OF OUR WORKFORCE, NOT JUST FOR THE ARMED FORCES. IT SHOULD BE PART OF OUR NATIONAL STRATEGY TO MAKE SURE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE COMING INTO ADULTHOOD FIT AND NOURISHED. SNAP IS A GATEWAY TO HEALTHIER EATING. MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE OVERWEIGHT ARE ACTUALLY FOOD INSECURE. WHEN PEOPLE ARE FACED WITH NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY GROCERIES, THEY MAKE RATIONAL ECONOMIC CHOICES ABOUT THE NUMBERS OF " FEELINGS OF FULL" THEY CAN GET FROM ONE DOLLAR. THEY TURN TO FOODS THAT ARE HIGH IN SODIUM OR CARBS. BY GETTING PEOPLE ENOUGH MONEY TO AFFORD NUTRITIOUS FOOD, BY GIVING PEOPLE THE ABILITY TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND BUY FOOD THAT IS DEMOGRAPHICALLY APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR FAMILY, WHETHER THEY HAVE A SENIOR OUR KIDS, THAT IS A SOLID INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY. IT TREATS PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY, BUT IT ALSO INVESTS IN OUR FUTURE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. Show Less Text
00:21:50
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
CHARLOTTE IS A REPUBLICAN IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.

00:21:55
I HAVE FRIENDS ON SNAP. SHE WILL HAVE SNAP REDUCED $23 A MONTH. WHO CAN BUY ANYTHING FOR $23 A MONTH? YOU INCLUDED SODAS, CHIPS, AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. IN THE PAST, I REMEMBER THOSE THINGS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO BE BOUGHT WITH AN EBT OR FOOD STAMPS AT THE TIME. WE NEED TO BE TEACHING, IF YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE SNAP OUT, WE NEED TO BE TEACHING HEALTHY EATING ALSO, OR START PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY TO GROW YOUR OWN FOOD. OUR YOUNG, THEIR FOOD IS SO EXPENSIVE. IT IS RIDICULOUS. MOTHERS HAVE TO FEED THESE BABIES POTATOES, STARCHY FOODS IN ORDER TO STOP THE HUNGER PAINS. WE NEED TO BE TEACHING HEALTHY WAYS OF THE EATING ALONG WITH FEEDING THEM. SODAS AND CHIPS? Show Less Text
00:23:08
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
WHAT DO YOU THINK?

00:23:09
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
THANK YOU, CHARLOTTE. THERE ARE PROGRAMS FEEDING AMERICA SUPPORTS THAT CREATE NUTRITION EDUCATION WITH THE SNAP BENEFITS SO PEOPLE HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RIGHT KINDS OF FOODS TO BE EATING. THERE ARE PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO PURCHASE FRESH PRODUCE. IT INCREASES THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AVAILABLE TO THEM TO BUY FOOD OVERALL, IF THEY ARE WILLING TO BUY FRESH, HEALTHY PRODUCE AS PART OF THEIR DIET. THE SNAP SPENDING IS HAVING A POWERFUL IMPACT ON HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND. FEEDING AMERICA FOOD BANKS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN THIS. FOOD IS THE BASIC MEDICINE. YOU CANNOT EXPECT PEOPLE TO RECOVER FROM TRAUMA, DISEASE, OR ILLNESS WHILE THEY ARE MALNOURISHED. FEEDING AMERICA FOOD BANKS ARE PARTNERED WITH MEDICAL PROVIDERS, INSURERS. THEIR OPERATING TYPE TWO DIABETES EDUCATION PROGRAMS WHERE PEOPLE ARE GIVEN BOXES OF HEALTHY FOODS THAT ARE ENCOURAGED FOR RESOLVING TYPE 2 DIABETES. YOU RAISE AN IMPORTANT ISSUE ABOUT NOT JUST ADDRESSING HUNGER PER SE, BUT GIVING PEOPLE NUTRITIOUS PATHWAYS OUT OF HUNGER SO THAT THEY LEAD HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES. Show Less Text
00:24:37
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR WORK, IF YOU ARE A SNAP RECIPIENT. THE REQUIREMENT IS YOU MUST REGISTER FOR WORK AND YOU MUST PARTICIPATE IN REQUIRED STATE-BASED TRAINING PROGRAMS AND TAKE A JOB IF IT IS OFFERED, BUT A LOT OF THE CRITICISM IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF EXCEPTIONS TO THAT RULE. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Show Less Text
00:24:59
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
WORK REQUIREMENTS HAVE NOT PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE AT CREATING OPPORTUNITIES AND PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT. IT IS BETTER WE ERR ON THE SIDE OF MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOURISHED AND FED DURING THE TIME THEY ARE OUT OF WORK, BECAUSE A FED PERSON CAN HAVE MANY PROBLEMS BUT A HUNGRY PERSON ONLY HAS ONE PROBLEM. IF THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD, THEY WILL SPEND THEIR WHOLE DAY MAKING SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD. IT IS NOT REASONABLE TO EXPECT PEOPLE TO DO GOOD IN JOB INTERVIEWS OR PERFORM WELL ON THE JOB IF THEY ARE SHOWING UP HUNGRY. IT IS A DEBILITATING CONDITION AND IT IS UNREASONABLE TO THINK THAT ANYONE ASPIRING TO RETURN TO WORK WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO IF THEY WAKE UP AND GO TO BED EVERY DAY ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. Show Less Text
00:26:02
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
DEREK IN CHICAGO,, ILLINOIS.

00:26:07
GOOD MORNING C-SPAN. LET'S FOCUS ON THE REAL PROBLEM -- WEALTH INEQUALITY. IF A CORPORATE ENTITY WOULD GIVE PEOPLE A LIVABLE WAGE, THAT WOULD LOWER THE SNAP PROGRAM LET'S FACE IT. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY VOTED AGAINST A MINIMUM WAGE. EVERY TIME THEY TAKE CONTROL OF CONGRESS, THEY TALK ABOUT TAKING SOMETHING FROM THE POOR. IT HAPPENS ON AND ON. " LET'S GIVE THESE CORPORATE ENTITIES THESE TAX BREAKS." Show Less Text
00:26:54
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
IT IS TRUE THAT FOOD BANKS SEE MANY FAMILIES WHO ARE VERY HARD-WORKING FAMILIES, PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, FIVE TO 6 TO 7 DAYS A WEEK TO GO TO WORK AND TRY AND GENERATE ENOUGH INCOME TO PAY FOR THE INCREASINGLY EXPENSIVE NECESSITIES, WHETHER THAT BE PAYING RENT, BUYING GAS FOR THE CAR, AND OFTEN TIMES FOOD IS THE THING PEOPLE CUT BACK ON. WE SEE PEOPLE AT FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS WHO TELL US THEIR STORIES, AND THEIR STORIES ARE SO GROUNDING AND SO COMPELLING. IT IS HEARTBREAKING TO TALK TO SOMEONE WORKING TWO FULL-TIME JOBS AND STILL NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR THEIR MONTHLY ESSENTIALS. WE TALK TO MOTHERS WHO ARE SKIPPING MEALS SO THEIR KIDS HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT. 27% OF THE ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY FAMILIES IN THIS COUNTRY ARE STRUGGLING WITH FOOD AND SECURITY. AS A FOOD BANKER I CREATED SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION PLANS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES IN MY COMMUNITIES, AND IT IS HEARTBREAKING TO THINK THAT SOMEONE IS WEARING THE UNIFORM IN OUR COUNTRY IN AN AREA WHERE THEY COULD BE EXPOSED TO HOSTILITIES AND THEY ARE THINKING, "ARE MY KIDS BACK IN SAN DIEGO GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT TODAY?" THAT SHOULD BE OFFENSIVE TO ALL OF US AND IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SOLVE AS A NATION. I AM PROUD OF THE WORK THAT FEEDING AMERICA FOOD BANKS DUE TO FEED FAMILIES. WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT MILITARY FAMILIES HAVE ENOUGH MONEY -- Show Less Text
00:28:51
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
EILEEN IS ON THE LINE FOR SNAP BENEFICIARIES.

00:28:55
THANKS, C-SPAN, AND THANK YOU, MR. HALL FOR THE, WORK YOU FOLKS ARE DOING. HERE IN CONNECTICUT, WE CAN GET STARTER PLANTS AND SEEDS, IF WE HAVE A PLACE TO GROW OUR OWN VEGETABLES.I I DO NOT HAPPEN BE IN A PLACE WHERE I CAN DO THAT, BUT I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT, AND GOOD FOR THEM. LAST YEAR IN PARTICULAR IN THE SUMMERTIME THERE WAS A FARMERS MARKET NEARBY THAT TAKES SNAP. WE CAN GO THERE, AND WE CAN USE OUR SNAP BENEFITS. THAT IS LOCAL, FRESH PRODUCE. I CANNOT SPEAK HIGHLY ENOUGH OF THE CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO GET THOSE BENEFITS! I ENJOY THAT VERY MUCH. IT IS A LITTLE COMMUNITY THING. THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN. A GROCERY STORE THERE IS THAT -- IT IS A LITTLE COMMUNITY THING. THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN A GROCERY STORE. IT IS AN OBJECTIVE STATEMENT, AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY JUDGMENT ON IT, BUT HONESTLY LAST YEAR WITH INFLATION THE WAY IT WAS IN THE GROCERY STORES, IT WAS ALMOST THE SAME PRICE TO GO TO A FARMERS MARKET. LIKE I SAID, THE BENEFITS OF LOCAL, FRESH IS YOU CAN PUT THE $ ON THAT YOU WANT -- THE DOLLAR SIGNS ON THAT YOU WANT. LAST YEAR IT WAS ALMOST EQUAL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Show Less Text
00:30:41
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
THANK YOU, EILEEN FOR MAKING THAT POINT. IT IS THE CASE IN MANY PLACES THAT SNAP BENEFITS CAN BE USED AT A FARMERS MARKET. IT IS A REALLY GOOD POINT YOU MADE ABOUT THE ABILITY OF FAMILIES TO GROW THINGS AT HOME. A LOTTO FEEDING AMERICA FOOD BANKS HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW TO GROW FOOD AT HOME. THERE IS ALSO OF COURSE MORE THAT COULD BE DONE TO INCREASE ACCESS TO OTHER NUTRITIOUS FOODS THROUGH THE SNAP PROGRAM. THERE IS MORE THAT COULD BE DONE TO HELP THE NATION'S FOOD BANKS PROVIDE HEALTHY, FRESH FOOD AND PROTEINS. THERE IS THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT MOVES FOOD FROM FARMS TO LOCAL FOOD BANKS, AND WE ARE ASKING CONGRESS AND THE FARM BILL TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FROM $250 MILLION TO $500 MILLION SO WE HAS FOOD BANKS CAN RECEIVE MORE OF THIS ESSENTIAL, NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND GET THAT FOOD TO PEOPLE IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THAT IDEA OF LOCALLY SOURCED FOOD, LOCALLY SOURCED PRODUCE IS SOMETHING THAT TOM VILSACK HAS BEEN REALLY PIONEERING AND INVESTING IN, AND HAS CREATED A LOCAL FOOD PURCHASING AGREEMENT, WHICH IS A FANCY WAY OF SAYING THEY'RE MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR LOCAL FOOD BANKS TO RECEIVE MORE FOOD DIRECTLY FROM LOCAL FARMS, PARTICULARLY FARMERS WHO HAVE BEEN DISADVANTAGED IN TRADITIONAL PRACTICES. I AM REALLY GLAD YOU HIGHLIGHTED THAT TODAY. Show Less Text
00:32:24
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
CHUCK IS NEXT, REPUBLICAN LINE, SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

00:32:31
I'M SO GLAD YOU BROUGHT THIS UP. I AM SO IRRITATED WITH PEOPLE TURNING TO THE GOVERNMENT. WE DO HAVE FOOD BANKS. PEOPLE COULD BE GOING TO THE FOOD BANKS TO SURVIVE. I AM A MANAGER. WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR PEOPLE. THERE IS A LABOR SHORTAGE. PEOPLE CANNOT GO TO RESTAURANTS AND USE THEIR CARDS BECAUSE THERE IS NO ONE THERE. THERE IS A LABOR SHORTAGE. THE PRISONS IN ARIZONA ARE DOWN TO $1.25 A DAY TO FEED PEOPLE. YOU CAN HAVE MULTIGRAIN BARS. YOUR GUEST IS TALKING ABOUT CULTURAL APPROPRIATE. IF PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY, WHY DID THEY CARE IF IT IS CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE OR NOT? WE SHOULD NOT BE IN THAT BUSINESS. I HAVE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR ME 15 HOURS A DAY AND THEY ARE NOT TURNING TO THE GOVERNMENT. IF WE HAVE FOOD BANKS, WIRE PEOPLE EVEN TURNING TO SNAP -- WHY ARE PEOPLE EVEN TURNING TO SNAP? Show Less Text
00:33:35
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
WE HAVE TO CLEAR UP A MISCONCEPTION THAT FOOD BANKS HAVE AN INFINITE CAPACITY TO HELP PEOPLE IN NEED. THAT IS NOT THE CASE, UNFORTUNATELY. AS INNOVATIVE AND RESOURCEFUL AS LOCAL FOOD BANKS ARE, THEY STILL FALL SHORT OF MEETING ALL OF THE NEED EVERY DAY. TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF HOW POWERFUL AND IMPORTANT THE SNAP PROGRAM IS, CONSIDER THIS -- THE SNAP PROGRAM PROVIDES 9 MEALS FOR EVERYONE MEAL PROVIDED BY ALL OF AMERICA'S FOOD BANKS COMBINED. THERE IS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF FAILURE AND SUCCESS THAT RESTS IN THE SNAP PROGRAM. EVEN A MODEST CUT IN THE SNAP PROGRAM HAS A MASSIVE IMPACT ON AMERICA'S FOOD BANKS. Show Less Text
00:34:23
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
ERIC IS NEXT, ANTIOCH, CALIFORNIA, INDEPENDENT LINE.

00:34:31
I HAVE TWO OPINIONS ON THIS. I WORK IN RETAIL. I SEE WHAT THE AMOUNT IS ON THEIR CARD WHEN I RING THEM UP. FAMILIES SHOULD BE GETTING WAY MORE. I SEE A LOT OF GUYS, PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT WORKING MINIMAL, AND THEY ARE GETTING SNAP. THAT GROUP NEEDS TO BE CUT OUT. THEY NEED TO GET JOBS. NEED TO GET OFF THEIR BUTT AND GET TO WORK. THEY'RE NOT ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT THING ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT WORKED IN SO LONG. WHEREAS OTHER FAMILIES I KNOW NOT EVEN HAVE A CAR. THEY NEED MORE. THAT IS HOW I JUST FEEL ABOUT IT. Show Less Text
00:35:15
Vince Hall
Vince Hall
THERE ARE WORK REQUIREMENTS AND THE SNAP PROGRAM. THE TRUTH IS, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, 45% OF THE FAMILIES ON SNAP HAVE CHILDREN IN THE HOUSEHOLD. SNAP IS MAINLY ABOUT CHILDREN, SENIOR CITIZENS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND THEY GOT PORTION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE OF WORKING STATUS ARE WORKING. WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT WHEN PEOPLE WORK FULL-TIME TIME AND ACCOUNT FOR THEIR EXPENSES, THEY ARE STILL ELIGIBLE FOR SNAP BENEFITS. THAT IS A MATHEMATICAL FORMULA THAT IN A VERY OBJECTIVE WAY SAYS, "THESE FAMILIES ARE NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY, DESPITE WORKING FULL TIME, TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE>" THAT IS A DEEPER ISSUE WE NEED TO START HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT. Show Less Text
00:36:10
Mimi Geerges
Mimi Geerges
VINCE HALL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. COMING UP, AUTHOR JEFF QUINN DISCUSSES THE 1993 SIEGE OF THE BRANCH DAVIDIAN COMPOUND IN TEXAS. WE ARE MARKING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THAT TRAGEDY THIS YEAR. AT FIRST, IT IS OPEN FORUM. YOU CAN START CALLING IN NOW. (music)