Podcasts about food assistance

A new federal law is making major cuts to SNAP, the program that helps more than 1.8 million New Yorkers afford groceries. WNYC's Karen Yi reports on how the changes could strip benefits from older adults, low income workers, and others, while shrinking support for hundreds of thousands more.

In July's expert discussion episode of Super Adaptables, hosts Corey "Pheez" Lee and Jonathan Sigworth are joined by Jennie Hirsch, Chief of Staff at Connecticut Foodshare, to discuss local and federal food assistance programs and how people in need can best access those resources.This year on Super Adaptables, we're diving deep into social safety net programs - a new topic each month with weekly episodes - exploring how they function, their challenges, and their impact on all our lives.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Agriculture and Rural Issues Reporter Anna Pope about a waiver request from Oklahoma leaders to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. The waiver comes as the federal government is also seeking changes to the food program. 

July 21, 2025 - Dan Egan, the outgoing head of Feeding New York State, reflects on the demand for food assistance over the last six years and considers how hungry New Yorkers will be affected by changes in Washington D.C.

In July's community discussion episode of Super Adaptables, hosts Corey "Pheez" Lee and Jonathan Sigworth discuss with other guests their experience of receiving food assistance such as S.N.A.P. and the complexities of remaining eligible even with a disability.This year on Super Adaptables, we're diving deep into social safety net programs - a new topic each month with weekly episodes - exploring how they function, their challenges, and their impact on all our lives.

The Trump administration's decision to cancel a federal food assistance program is hitting California's tribal communities hard. For the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the funds help them provide fresh, local food for their elders and creates reliable income for their farmers. With funding set to expire this year, the tribe is scrambling to fill the void. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED The Trump administration is appealing a federal judge's order limiting immigration agents from stopping or detaining people based on their race, ethnicity or occupation. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the spending bill just signed by President Donald Trump will increase the number of people without health insurance by 16 million over the next ten years. The $1.1 trillion cuts to Medicaid will also affect Native Americans who rely on it to pay for health care through the Indian Health Service and threatens rural hospitals with a high rate of Medicaid-dependent patients. The new spending plan also substantially reduces the number of people who will collect food assistance through the federal government. We'll get insights on what these numbers mean for Native Americans who disproportionately rely on these two federal government programs. We'll also find out about the significance of the new Indigenous head of Mexico's Supreme Court. GUESTS A.C. Locklear (Lumbee), CEO of National Indian Health Board Aaron Payment (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), tribal councilman and former chairperson for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Kelli Case (Chickasaw), senior staff attorney for the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative Gaspar Rivera-Salgado (Mixteco), director for the UCLA Center for Mexican Studies

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the spending bill just signed by President Donald Trump will increase the number of people without health insurance by 16 million over the next ten years. The $1.1 trillion cuts to Medicaid will also affect Native Americans who rely on it to pay for health care through the Indian Health Service and threatens rural hospitals with a high rate of Medicaid-dependent patients. The new spending plan also substantially reduces the number of people who will collect food assistance through the federal government. We'll get insights on what these numbers mean for Native Americans who disproportionately rely on these two federal government programs. We'll also find out about the significance of the new Indigenous head of Mexico's Supreme Court.

In July's introductory episode of Super Adaptables, hosts Corey “Pheez” Lee and Jonathan Sigworth dive into the origins of domestic USA food assistance programs and how they may be impacted by impending funding cuts and additional eligibility requirements resulting from Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is now law.This year on Super Adaptables, we're diving deep into social safety net programs - a new topic each month with weekly episodes - exploring how they function, their challenges, and their impact on all our lives.

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

The tax reductions that President Trump wants to continue are rolled into a large bill that requires big cuts to medicaid and food support programs.

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Republicans are proposing significant changes to food assistance, which could impact supplemental nutrition programs for older adults, school lunches and the agriculture industry. What will the cuts mean for hunger and nutrition in the U.S.?

Hunger stalks the Green Mountains like a silent and stealthy predator. Two out of five people in Vermont experience hunger, according to Hunger Free Vermont. And the problem may soon get much worse.The Trump administration has proposed sweeping cuts to SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, the nation's largest food assistance program. The Senate is currently considering a budget reconciliation bill passed by the House that includes billions of dollars in cuts to SNAP and Medicaid. Up to 13,000 Vermonters may have their food assistance reduced or eliminated if the measure is approved. Many legal immigrants, including refugees and asylees, will no longer be eligible for food benefits, according to Ivy Enoch of Hunger Free Vermont.To find out what this means to the people who will be directly affected by the potential cuts, I visited the largest food shelf in central Vermont, located at Capstone Community Action in Barre. The food shelf is open three days a week. When I visited, a steady stream of people of all ages came through the doors, quietly but gratefully filling grocery bags of food. Volunteers buzzed about helping.Emmanuelle Soumailhan, coordinator for Capstone's food shelf, said that the food shelf gets about 800 to 1,000 visitors per month, double the traffic it received before the Covid pandemic. The potential for federal cuts has her concerned that “we're not going to have enough food and we're going to see a surge of people … (and) we're just going to run out of money.”Stephanie Doyle came to the food shelf to get food for her family. She said that her SNAP benefits did not cover her family's food needs for the month. “You just can't afford getting fruits and vegetables and all that stuff that you need to do to be healthy, especially when you have a child that you're taking care of.”Doyle wants to ensure that her teenage daughter is “fueled really well in school so that she has a chance to thrive and get a good education just like all of the other kids who have more.”Leslie Walz, a retired school nurse from Barre, was volunteering at the food shelf. She was outraged by the prospect that SNAP funding would be slashed.“I don't know what's going to happen to these people that are dependent on the food shelf here,” she said. “Many of them don't have a place to live. They're living out of their cars. They were living in motels. It's essential. It can't be cut, not if we have a heart.”Liz Scharf, director of community economic development and food security at Capstone, insisted that philanthropy and charity can not replace lost federal funds. She is hopeful that the most draconian cuts will be avoided.“I just hope that in the end we're a country that decides to make sure our people are cared for, rather than giving money to the highest wealth individuals in this country through tax breaks,” said Scharf.Disclosure: David Goodman's wife, Sue Minter, was the executive director of Capstone Community Action from December 2018 to January 2025.

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Today's special edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott" is a themed show focusing on hunger. According to the latest data from Feeding America, nearly 40% of the food-insecure population in the United States is white. Yet, in most counties, food insecurity rates among Black, Hispanic and Latino households exceed those of white households. This all comes as data also reveals, 1 in 7 people in Georgia are facing hunger. Now, amid federal funding cuts to assistance programs and inflation impacting food prices, Rose talks with local leaders about their efforts to combat summer hunger across metro Atlanta. Guests include: Kyle Waide, the president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank Jon McMurdo, the development manager at Second Helpings Atlanta Kashi Sehgal, the founder and CEO RetaazaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Commercial beekeepers discovered their colonies of honeybees in near or total collapse earlier this year, in what some call the worst bee die-off in U.S. history, and USDA to purchase up to $67 million in fresh foods to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country.

Hundreds of nurses at a major Madison hospital are set to go on strike next week. The state stands to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in federal food assistance. And, manure runoff from a dairy farm in Monroe County has killed hundreds of fish.

Food assistance programs are vital, and should not be cut full 359 Thu, 22 May 2025 18:16:33 +0000 5eCry1sNxzMmxa1MQVNvTIXKS7zlsbGL pittsburgh,welfare,doge,emailnewsletter,news,a-newscasts,top picks Marty Griffin pittsburgh,welfare,doge,emailnewsletter,news,a-newscasts,top picks Food assistance programs are vital, and should not be cut On-demand selections from Marty's show on Newsradio 1020 KDKA , airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News News News News news News News News News News False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.

Today's HeadlinesGang activity in Haiti intensifies the country's needReligious minorities suffer in overflow of Bangladesh social unrestSoma training equips 41 Kenyan pastors

For many families, the dinner table has become a war zone. Because there are so many emotions tied up in how we feel about food and eating, these feelings can mold your child's relationship with food in ways that we never even suspected.Counselor and parenting expert, Emilie Vogas M.Ed, discusses some of the common issues that come up around food including picky eating, over eating, eating disorders as well as the “rules” that govern how we approach mealtime (sitting at a table vs. in front of the television) or what kind of etiquette we observe (chewing with your mouth closed, etc.)In order to pass on healthy eating habits it's important for parents to examine their own relationship with food. Was it punitive? (“You can't leave the table until you've finished everything on your plate.”) Shaming? (“There are starving children who would give anything to have what's on your plate.”) Privileged? (Throwing a tantrum until mom makes you mac and cheese for the hundredth time.)Ultimately, we want to acknowledge and respect our children's autonomy over their own bodies without becoming a short order cook. It's our job as parents to teach them (and model) how to have a healthy relationship with food and eating.In the podcast we reference some resources you may want to check out.If you are facing food insecurity, we encourage you to look up food assistance programs on your State's website and look at the WIC program website or the Food Assistance website.Table Topics (www.tabletopics.com/products)These are conversation starters for family discussion that help keep you and your kids off of screens at mealtime. For those unable to afford these conversation decks, consult your local library for lists of conversation starters.Emilie Vogas is available for private consultations and workshops:1-646-241-7775emilie@EmilieVogas.comwww.EmilieVogas.com

How federal funding cuts could affect food assistance for people in Wisconsin. Students at UWM's Waukesha campus are preparing for their school's closure. A county prison's approach to rehabilitation. Why poverty persists.

About 25% of college students face food insecurity. Over the years, efforts have been made to better connect students with food assistance programs. A recent change may help identify those who qualify and connect them to SNAP. We'll get an…

Montana's Food Bank Network is slated to lose $400,000 worth of food from a federal program intended to provide emergency food assistance to low-income populations. That's according to the food bank network President Gayle Carlson, who said she learned of their financial loss on March 21.

A special election in Lancaster County saw a Democrat clinch a narrow win in a historically Republican state legislative district. Democrats retained their one seat majority in the state House, thanks to a special election win in western Pa. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more Bhutanese refugees living in Pennsylvania, bringing the count of those in custody to at least ten. The Trump administration is no longer funding legal services to unaccompanied minor immigrants. The Reading School Board was expected to approve the hiring of former state Education Secretary Dr. Khalid Mumin as the district’s new superintendent. Harrisburg City Council has approved Eden Village of Harrisburg’s plan to help the city’s homeless get permanent shelter. Volunteer firefighters in Shrewsbury are trying to save a historic bell that hung in the old firehouse for 145 years. Pennsylvania is challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cancellation of a $13 million contract that helps local farmers supply food to people in need.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Send us a textPodcast listeners: We need your help!Please take this short survey and let us know what kind of coverage you value from the Arkansas Times Week in Review. It should take no more than 2-3 minutes to complete. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelGwfouBLfdR0RWUfz75fNXZFv6Z1s9T7YMPLIGlGK_ri3tQ/viewformThanks! We appreciate your time.Stories discussed this week:Bill targeting hog farm moratoriums near Buffalo River fails in committee Tuesday, sponsors will amend and try againhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2025/03/11/bill-targeting-hog-farm-moratoriums-near-buffalo-river-fails-in-committee-tuesday-sponsors-will-amend-and-try-againBill that could make it harder to stop hog farming near Buffalo River continues to stallhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2025/03/04/bill-that-could-make-it-harder-to-stop-hog-farming-near-buffalo-river-continues-to-stallArkansas Foodbank says vital USDA program to buy fresh produce from local farms has been haltedhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2025/03/06/arkansas-foodbank-says-vital-usda-program-to-buy-fresh-produce-from-local-farms-has-been-haltedArkansas Foodbank says vital USDA program to buy fresh produce from local farms has been haltedhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2025/03/06/arkansas-foodbank-says-vital-usda-program-to-buy-fresh-produce-from-local-farms-has-been-haltedCities, counties, state could shower private projects with taxpayer funds under senator's amendmenthttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2025/03/12/cities-counties-state-could-shower-private-projects-with-taxpayer-funds-under-senators-amendmentWe welcome your feedback. Write us at podcasts@arktimes.com

More than 2 million people across the three states could feel the impact.

Mississippi legislators have taken a step toward allowing homeschoolers to play sports on public school teams.Then, Governor Tate Reeves has rejected federal food assistance funding that would help feed students over the summer.Plus, lawmakers advance a bill that would create a licensing program for midwives in Mississippi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mississippi's governor has declined to apply for federal summer grocery funds. And nationally, food assistance programs could be on the chopping block.Then, Mississippi lawmakers in both chambers have advanced legislation to ban Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs at the state's colleges and universities.Plus, folks are celebrating Black History Month by visiting the graves of deceased Mississippians and sharing their life stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Food assistance is on the chopping block. Ten state attorneys general target the e-cigarette market. And Dr Pepper Blackberry hits store shelves.

Assessing the contamination of Ukrainian agricultural lands impacted by remnants of war and exploded ordnances is a central part of the high-risk job of Tiphaine Lucas, programme coordinator for the Mine Action and Land Rehabilitation Initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Ukraine. In this in-depth interview, Lucas explains the essence of her work in a country that used to produce sufficient grain and other food products to feed 400 million people globally. She also describes the challenges of female scientists working near the frontline. Producer: Heriberto Araujo Presenter: Ruki Inoshita Sound: Eric Deleu Editorial supervision: Blagoje Grujic

Recorded 09 December 2024. Claire O'Reilly Research Fellow Trinity College Dublin & Co-founder of SADIE A symposium on food insecurities organised by the School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences.  Funded in part by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Events Fund. Learn more at https://www.tcd.ie/triss/people/SADIE/index.php and https://www.tcd.ie/trinitylongroomhub/

Recorded 09 December 2024. Kavita Brahmbhatt, Senior Disability Advisor WFP A symposium on food insecurities organised by the School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences.  Funded in part by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Events Fund. Learn more at https://www.tcd.ie/triss/people/SADIE/index.php and https://www.tcd.ie/trinitylongroomhub/

Earlier this year, we sat down with the team from ADRA Haiti to discuss the implementation of the "FAH" program - Food Assistance in Haiti. The interview takes a look into the experiences of the local team and explains the experience of people living in Haiti in the midst of tremendous turmoil and instability.  We also take a moment to overview some of the historical causes and reasons for the current situation - highlighting the need for compassion, understanding, accountability, and engagement from the rest of the world. Haiti is a resilient nation that has survived almost unimaginable challenges. For the ADRA Haiti team, nothing could have been more fulfilling than seeing the relief on the faces of their own people receiving food when they needed it most.  Follow us on all of our online platforms to stay up to date with ADRA Canada, and visit our website to learn how you can help make a difference.  https://www.adra.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/adracanada https://www.instagram.com/adracanada/ https://www.youtube.com/adracanada https://vimeo.com/adracanada 

Bangladeshis are beset by frequent natural disasters - more than one per month - that affect rural communities' access to healthy food. Lotus Ministry Trust is partnering with local organizations to provide much-needed food relief. Learn more here: https://www.lotus-ministry.org/post/lotus-ministry-s-food-relief-in-bangladesh Lotus Ministry Trust City: San Francisco Address: 2269 Chestnut St Website: https://www.lotus-ministry.org/ Phone: +1 415 579 7780 Email: lotus.ministry.trust@gmail.com

Join us to learn more about the mission and impact of our campus food pantry at Campus Recreation that is dedicated to supporting students. Organizers share updates, ease of access and other benefits the pantry provides. Resources: Food Assistance & Well-Being Program | Campus Recreation | UIUC  

Support Lotus Ministry Trust's food relief initiatives and help beautiful Bangladesh and its people reclaim their future. More details at https://www.lotus-ministry.org/post/lotus-ministry-s-food-relief-in-bangladesh Lotus Ministry Trust City: San Francisco Address: 2269 Chestnut St Website: https://www.lotus-ministry.org/ Phone: +1 415 579 7780 Email: lotus.ministry.trust@gmail.com

In this episode, we meet with members of Grace Presbyterian Church to discuss their food pantry, Table of Grace, and how they have partnered with EMS Prevention. Discover how this market-style food pantry is revolutionizing food assistance in Tuscaloosa by providing a dignified shopping experience for those in need.

Food is just more expensive than it was a few years ago. The rate of inflation for food has leveled off in 2024, but we're still adjusting to the price increases we saw in 2022 and 2023. So in this episode, we look into food assistance programs like SNAP, WIC and food banks: how they work, how they're funded, and how they're coping with rising food prices. Our guests are Monica Kelly, Public Benefits Outreach Manager and Les Sinclair, Communications and PR Manager from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.     Access Food Assistance:   https://www.brafb.org/find-help/   https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/food.cgi     Learn More and Sign up for Virginia Sun Bucks:   https://virginiasunbucks.com/     Check out the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank's Blog: https://www.brafb.org/blog-chew-on-this/

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's SUN Bucks doles out $40 per month over the summer for each eligible child. This is the first year for the program, and it's expected to reach about 21 million kids. Yet 13 states, including Oklahoma and Iowa, turned down the funding.

5.22.2024 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: Possible SNAP Cuts,Tulsa Race Massacre,Biden's 200th Federal Judge Confirmation, Crockett Chronicles The House Republicans' proposed farm bill seeks to direct tens of billions to subsidies for peanut, rice, and cotton farmers.  That same bill could cut funding for SNAP,  which helps millions facing food insecurity. The Vice President for Food Assistance from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities to explain what impact that cut will have.  We are just over a week away from the 103rd anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre.  Justice for Greenwood's Damario Solomon-Simmons will be here to give us a preview of what the city is doing to commemorate one of the deadliest acts of U.S. terrorism.  The Democratic-led Senate confirmed President Joe Biden's 200th federal judge today.  We'll discuss just how important these appointments will shape the courts for years to come.  In our Tech Talk segment, Fanbase founder Isaac Hayes III will explain the benefits of raise and equity crowdfunding. It's our first Crockett Chronicles.  Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crocket will join us tonight to talk about today's oversight committee hearing, Marjorie Taylor Green, and how her "bleach blonde bad built butch body" comment has taken over the internet. #BlackStarNetwork advertising partners:Justice For Marilyn Mosby

5.22.2024 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: Possible SNAP Cuts,Tulsa Race Massacre,Biden's 200th Federal Judge Confirmation, Crockett Chronicles The House Republicans' proposed farm bill seeks to direct tens of billions to subsidies for peanut, rice, and cotton farmers.  That same bill could cut funding for SNAP,  which helps millions facing food insecurity. The Vice President for Food Assistance from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities to explain what impact that cut will have.  We are just over a week away from the 103rd anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre.  Justice for Greenwood's Damario Solomon-Simmons will be here to give us a preview of what the city is doing to commemorate one of the deadliest acts of U.S. terrorism.  The Democratic-led Senate confirmed President Joe Biden's 200th federal judge today.  We'll discuss just how important these appointments will shape the courts for years to come.  In our Tech Talk segment, Fanbase founder Isaac Hayes III will explain the benefits of raise and equity crowdfunding. It's our first Crockett Chronicles.  Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crocket will join us tonight to talk about today's oversight committee hearing, Marjorie Taylor Green, and how her "bleach blonde bad built butch body" comment has taken over the internet. #BlackStarNetwork advertising partners:Justice For Marilyn Mosby

Incarceration rates are high in Mississippi, and the state legislature did little this year to address it according to prison reform advocates.Then, Mississippi turned down federal food assistance funding. How are families and food banks planning to move forward?Plus, Mississippi has been named the home of Southern Soul Music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Think health inequity doesn't affect you? Think again! This week's Pediatric Meltdown podcast tackles a topic that's more relevant than ever in today's diverse society. Host Dr. Lia Gaggino is joined by Dr. Julie Linton, a champion of health equity and a leading voice on child immigrant welfare. together, they will unravel the complex web of health care challenges for children of immigrant families. It's clear that Dr. Linton's compassion and education are key in addressing the challenges faced by children in immigrant families. Her expertise underscores the importance of understanding the various aspects of immigration, from DACA to Temporary Protected Status, and how these legal designations impact access to healthcare. Tackling everything from the intricacies of asylum to the vital role of Federally Qualified Health Centers, we're reminded that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background. Above all, the episode drives home the need for building workflows that support our diverse pediatric population with empathy and respect. Are you ready to become an advocate for change? Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn more by subscribing to the "Pediatric Mental Health Building Better Workflows Podcast" – because your next step in making a difference is just one listen away. [06:25 -13:54] Systems and Advocacy for Young NewcomersHighlights the wide-ranging complexities of immigration across the U.S., not just southern border issues.Underlines the importance of robust data for grasping immigrant children demographics and needs.Recommends utilizing the Casey Foundation's Kids Count data center for local immigrant family insights.Accentuates the imperative of compassionate healthcare and the duty of providers to aid and champion immigrant families.[13:55 -23:29] Food Assistance and Support Programs Emphasizing the need to address basic necessities such as food for well-being.Considering the direct link between health and access to adequate nutrition.State-specific resources and support systems designed to assist in food provision.Acknowledging the unequal availability of resources and the value of local insights for securing food aid.[23:30 - 29:40] Legal Challenges in Mixed-Status FamiliesEligibility for food aid programs can vary widely based on a family's immigration status.The array of immigrant statuses affects the types of assistance open to children and families.In areas with different funding, medical-legal partnerships are pivotal in providing necessary legal aid at no cost.Legal aid limitations signify systemic hurdles impacting children's health rights.[29:41 - 45:25] Healthcare Access for Immigrant ChildrenHighlights the barriers immigrant families face in accessing healthcare and insurance coverage.Emphasizes the critical need for compassionate care specifically catered to the needs of immigrant families.Outlines resources available to assist uninsured and mixed-status families in obtaining healthcare services.Addresses the vital role of healthcare practitioners in advocating for policies that support the health of immigrant children.[45:26 - 53:58] Closing segment TakeawayLinks to resources mentioned on the showAAP Policy Statement, Providing Care for Children in Immigrant Families:

A new federal food assistance program is aiming to reduce child hunger by giving low-income families money for summer groceries. But only those who live in certain states will have access to that relief. John Yang explains. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

This plot line could have come from one of Charles Dickens' novels about upper-class depravity: “Miserly governors refuse to provide gruel for poverty-stricken ragamuffins.”Unfortunately, this is not a novel, but modern-day reality taking place in 15 states, where rightwing officeholders have scorned a federal program to provide food this summer for millions of children mired in poverty.No! bark these political ideologues. Seeking to punish poverty, they piously demonize public aid… even for hungry children! This program hardly lavishes luxury dining on anyone, offering only $40 per child in groceries. Not for one meal or even a week, but $40 a month – about a buck-thirty a day. Feast on that!Yet, the politicos in such deeply impoverished states as Mississippi and Louisiana have arrogantly shunned this minimal assistance their people so desperately need. Worse, so have the mingy governors of super-rich states like Florida and Texas, where millions of children need this food. Also, note that these elitist governors are personally wealthy, yet they have no ethical qualms about taxpayers picking up the tab for their pricey meals.Then there's the pathetic duplicity of Iowa governor, Kim Reynolds. She rejected the grocery benefit for her state's children, asserting that it “does nothing to promote nutrition” and could contribute to childhood obesity. Well, gosh, Gov, providing food has actually proven to be nutritionally beneficial for children. On the other hand, she's right that denying food to children definitely can cause them to lose weight! Thanks, Kim.Turning down food assistance for poor children is shockingly callous, just plain mean… and politically stupid, even for right-wing puritanical ideologues. The good news is that 35 states, five US territories, and four Native American tribes have welcomed the summer program. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.Do something!Fed up with childhood hunger? Take action and learn more with these great organizations:* Food Research and Action Center* Center on Budget and Policy Priorites' Food Assistance work* Healthy Eating ResearchThank you for reading Jim Hightower's Lowdown. This post is public so feel free to share it.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe