Jaiden Myers ’28
While in Baltimore, our group has been blessed with the opportunity to experience how organizations at different levels attack the issue of Food Insecurity. So far the things that we have been able to partake in have included working with the Black Church Food Security Network, going to Liberty Grace Church, learning about Temple X schools, serving for Our Daily Bread, observing the Islamic Society of Baltimore, and working at the Strength to Love Farm as previously mentioned by others who have this great opportunity to do this work. To this point we have seen work that has been done at an individual level, as well as at the faith level which has been truly fascinating.
Heading to Washington, D.C., was the next stop on our food insecurity voyage, and coming here definitely demonstrates a whole new level of attacking food insecurity. The entire day revolved around food insecurity at the institutional/systemic level.
The amazing thing about heading to Washington D.C is that we were not alone. Bread for the World is an amazing group that we spent time learning about earlier in the semester. This group would be the nonprofit that we would be representing in D.C., along with representing the ‘Nell (Bucknell). You may be wondering what we were supposed to be doing in D.C. and believe me, I was too. There were meetings set up throughout the day with different representatives and senators where we were supposed to do some lobbying work for Bread for the World.
At the institutional/systemic level, the best way to attack food insecurity is through legislation that gives money to groups who are able aid in the fight to end food insecurity. Some of the biggest ways in which these issues are addressed and are taken care of are with the free school lunch programs, SNAP benefits, and the WIC program. Bread for the World’s main point of interest dealt with the WIC program and implementing a new bill to become law called the Modern WIC Act. SNAP benefits would also be a critical talking point as the risk for cuts to the program are a top issue in the Capitol.
The WIC program is able to aid families, particularly women, infants, and children until the age of 5. The ways in which these groups are aided come through the coverage in the costs of important items that are needed to spend to make sure that the sustainability and growth of babies and children are maximized ensuring a great start to life. One of the greatest things I heard about this program when fighting for WIC definitely came from Jazmin. “0-5 are the most important ages when looking at and ensuring good development of children.” This may not be the exact quote, but it got the importance of WIC across. The first five years of life are crucial to the development of a child. As great as the program is, there are some flaws. One of the major flaws is how many people are not taking advantage of WIC. Less than 50% of individuals eligible for WIC are currently in the program. Reasons for why others are not can be because they do not know they are eligible for the program, but the largest issue deals with access to WIC. To sign up and add to your card balance, the only option in some places is to go into the office and do it there. Issues with this arise as those who qualify for WIC do not have the transportation available to do this. One of the solutions is making it easier to do by giving access to WIC through your phone at home. Since 1998, we have seen a slow push for this which was sped up during COVID. Another issue seen is the threat in the future for cuts to WIC that would decimate the program.
The Modern WIC Act is a new bill that we were hoping to aid in gaining support and co-sponsors for in this upcoming Congress. The Modern WIC Act overall strengthens the program in all the best ways. It ensures maximum benefits and accessibility for those who are eligible or currently in WIC which would overall help those experiencing food insecurity and build families.
It was an early morning, but from the second we got out of the vans, I knew it was going to be a great day. Everyone was pumped and had a great deal of energy to use today. Our first stop was a Keystone Coffee event held by Senator McCormick held at 8:15 am. The reason for going to this event was that McCormick had shown recent support in international aid, but in terms of providing national security and fighting a battle with a great power in China. The event was very fun. Kurt, Julia, and myself had the opportunity to speak with one of his staff members before the event officially kicked off and it was very informative. While McCormick was talking and answering questions, scientists got into a heated discussion on the topic of NIH and the research they needed to be doing.
As we neared the end of the event, there was time for 1-2 more questions. My hand shot up and even though I was one of the youngest and maybe least popular or effective individuals there, he selected me. I was able to ask a question in regards to SNAP and WIC. Although it was sort of a dodgy answer, he showed support in not wanting “cuts” on these programs. Afterwards we got a picture and had some small talk before taking off.
Following this event, we went to a church meeting spot to learn more about Bread for the World from Andrea. After this we learned how to be expert lobbyists from Andre before heading to the next three meetings. We learned that we need an introduction person, two to three personal story people, and then the closer who introduces what we are looking for from the representative or senator.
The next stop for us was meeting with PA representative Glenn “GT” Thompson. On the way down I had the opportunity to gain some insight and secret tips on being a lobbyist from Andre. He shared tons of valuable information with Julia and me which made me more interested in pursuing lobbying as a career path. I was very scared for this meeting because it was my first ever and I had no clue what to expect. Glenn Thompson was not scary at all. He is a very personable and friendly representative who listened to what we had to say with care and grace. I was the closer for this meeting and I did a pretty good job which made me less scared and maybe a little too excited. I felt that this first meeting was very effective. At the conclusion of this meeting we got a picture and took a break for lunch.
Our second meeting was with the office of New York Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand. She has shown support for the WIC program and Bread for the World and the reason for meeting with her staff was to gain support for the new bill we were introducing. Unfortunately we did not speak with her but her staff representative was amazing and very hopeful for what we were doing. I did not speak this time but it was a very successful meeting. In between the second and third meeting I was able to have another personal conversation, but instead of Andre it was with Andrea. I got to learn more about the WIC program and what all she does with Bread for the World. I again gained some amazing knowledge.
Now we only had one meeting left, a showdown with Senator John Fetterman. This is the man who refuses to wear a suit. At first he was not present in the meeting as he was busy voting on a new bill. We were able to speak to a great staff member, Curtis, and for this meeting I was the closer again and I think it was another good showing. When Fetterman showed up at the end we had to go over our goals again. I think I did an even better job the second time around. Before going in the Fetterman meeting, Bread indicated concern about how the conversation would go. However, Senator Fetterman was very interested in what we were doing and showed massive support for what we were trying to accomplish. This concludes the day in D.C. and leaves us with time to reflect before departing.
This experience today was amazing on a personal level as well as a greater more large scale level. For the personal side I was able to get first-hand experience with politics and what exactly goes on in the capitol. From all that we did today I confirmed my love for politics and I am definitely going to continue to pursue higher education in hopes to be heavily involved in the government.
From a larger perspective I was able to learn and understand a different way in attacking food insecurity and learned just how difficult it is for those who work at this level to get work done. Overall I was very satisfied with the work we accomplished and I was very proud of how great everyone did at the Capitol today.