Wed 11/5
How many hungry kids could be fed with the money going to a $300 million golden ballroom at White House? It’s likely that a lot of Americans are asking themselves that question right now.
We’re looking at a perfect storm of (unnecessary) bad policy: the government shutdown, the refusal of the House of Representatives to even come to work, the refusal of the government to release money already allocated for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the food program that serves the poor (including large numbers of kids, seniors, and the disabled) and out-of-control inflation. These put heavier demands on food banks and pantries, just as more people are worried about inflation and/or job loss and are less able to donate.
Almost 200,000 Cuyahoga County residents get SNAP benefits, and they run out November 1, if Congress does nothing, something it does best these days. (And no, “illegals” aren’t getting benefits so stop saying that to make yourself feel less mean.) Food banks such as the Greater Cleveland Food Bank on South Waterloo do their best to meet the demand but SNAP provides about nine times the amount of food aid compared to food banks. Now take away SNAP and look at the 1.4 million federal employees furloughed or working without pay, and they just can’t meet the demand.
The next Happy Dog Takes on … forum at the Happy Dog in Gordon Square takes on the SNAP situation, and will look these issues squarely in the face and probably make you feel guilty for ordering that hot dog and beer.
Panelists include Annetee Iwamoto, directors of the Cuyahoga Human Services Chamber at the Center for Community Solutions; Patrick Kearns, executive director of Re:Source Cleveland (formerly Refugee Response) which serves people who have fled to this country legally; and David Merriman, director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Health and Human Services. It will be moderated by Ideastream’s Gabriel Kramer.
It’s free and registration isn’t required, although it helps them plan. (You can register here.) The forum will also be livestreamed starting at 7:30pm. Questions can be texted to 330.541.5794.
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