THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

♪♪] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

IT IS THE FIRST MONDAY?

OCTOBER AND THAT MARKS A ANNIVERSARY FOR THIS PROGRAM, 24 YEARS OF CONNECTING MPT VIEWERS WITH TOP NEWSMAKERS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE BEGIN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN, JOINING US IS JOHNNY OLSZEWSKI, DEMOCRAT FROM THE SECOND CONGRESS AT DISTRICT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME AND CONGRATULATIONS ON 24 YEARS.

>> Jeff: AMAZING I GOT HIRED AT 15 YEARS OF AGE.

OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN, I WAS LOOKING ON THE PREDICTION MARK ON-LINE AND AND THEY ARE PREDICTING BETWEEN A WEEK AND TWO WEEKS.

YOU GET A SENSE THAT A RESOLUTION MIGHT BE CLOSER?

>> I HOPE THE MARKETS ARE RIGHT.

I KNOW WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF MARYLAND EMPLOYEES WHO WORK FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHO ARE WORKING OR NOT WORKING BUT IN EITHER CASE NOT GETTING A PAYCHECK.

WHY TODAY I ANNOUNCED I WOULD BE FOREGOING PAY AS LODGE AS THE GOVERNMENT IS SHUT DOWN AND THERE ARE RESIDENTS WHO ARE NOT GETTING THE CRITICAL SERVICES THEY NEED BUT I WORRY ABOUT THE CLOSURE OF THIS THING, BECAUSE THE BEST WAY TO STRIKE A DEAL IS TO BE AT THE TABLE TOGETHER.

AND WHILE DEMOCRATS ARE CONSTANTLY IN WASHINGTON WE ARE READY TO NEGOTIATED A CLOSURE TO THIS DEAL SPEAKER JOHNSON CANCELED VOTES FOR TWO WEEKS IN A ROW AND PRESIDENT TRUMP IS NOT AT THE TABLE IT'S HARD TO REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT WITHOUT BEING IN THE ROOM TOGETHER.

>> Jeff: AND THE THING THAT FORCES PEOPLE 23450 THE ROOM IS WHEN THE PRESSURE STARTS GETTING RAMPED UP WHEN PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING PAID, MEMBERS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SERVICE MEMBERS.

AND THAT MAYBE ANOTHER WEEK OR SO.

>> YEAH, THE FACT WE HAVE SERVICE MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES WORKING WITHOUT PAY IS CERTAINLY CONCERNING.

ONCE THEY FEEL IT IT WILL MAKE IT WORSE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARE NOT TAKES NEW CASES FROM CONSTITUENTS WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT STUDENT LOANS FOR EXAMPLE.

WE ARE SEEING REAL IMPACTS OF THIS GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN.

I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD TAKE THAT REAL WORLD IMPACT OR AT THAT TIME PRESSURE TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER WE SHOULD BE LOCKING OURSELVES IN A ROOM, PRESIDENT, SENATE AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP SHOULD BE IN A ROOM AND SHOULD NOT COME OUT UNTIL THERE IS A DEAL.

THE PRESIDENT AND THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS HAVE NOT BEEN WILLING TO DO THAT.

>> Jeff: A MYSTERY HOW THE MEDIA IS TREATING THIS I LOOKED AT THE HOME PAGE OF WASHINGTON POST.COM AND THE FIRST STORY ON THE SHUT DOWN IS HALFWAY DOWN THERE'S 20 STORIES AHEAD OF IT ON WASHINGTON POST.COM INCLUDING HOW TO KEEP UP YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE.

THE SHUT DOWN I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS A BAROMETER OF WASHINGTON BUT IT'S NOT THERE YET.

>> THAT IS ON US TO TALK ABOUT WHY HAVING THE GOVERNMENT OPEN IS IMPORTANT AND WHY WE'VE ELEVATED THE ISSUE OF HEALTHCARE.

WE HAVE 20 MILLION AMERICANS POISED TO LOSE THEIR AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE CREDITS, THE AVERAGE FAMILY OF 4 MAKING $90,000 A YEAR IS SET TO HAVE A $3,000 A YEAR TAX INCREASE BY THE PREMIUMS GOING UP.

THAT IS CRUSHING FOR A WORKING FAMILY.

IT IS A GOOD ISSUE TO PUT FORWARD LIKE IT'S A GOOD ISSUE FOR DEMOCRATS TO POINT OUT IN THE BUDGET THERE'S BEEN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF CUTS NOT JUST TO FOREIGN AID BUT CRITICAL PUBLIC SERVICES LIKE PBS YOUR SHOW AND OTHERS ON MPT HAVE BEEN DECIMATED BY CUTS IN A BIPARTISAN BUDGET, THE PRESIDENT CAME IN WITH REPUBLICAN ONLY SUPPORT TO UNDO THOSE AGREEMENTS.

AS DEMOCRATS WE HAVE TO ASK THE QUESTION HOW DO WE AVOID THE CUTS FOR CRITICAL THINGS LIKE THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE WHICH THE PRESIDENT HAS THREATENED TO CUT AND WE'VE SEEN A LETTER FROM SECRETARY DUFFY THREATENING THOSE DOLLARS TO THE KEY BRIDGE.

>> Jeff: IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CONGRESSMAN SEND US AN E-MAIL AT... SO WHY NOT?

JUST DO A CONTINUING RESOLUTION?

GET THE GOVERNMENT BACK TO WORK AND GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND NEGOTIATE FACE-TO-FACE ON THE ISSUES INCLUDING HEALTHCARE?

>> I WOULD HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE IF THE PRESIDENT AND REPUBLICAN LEADERS WOULD BE SITTING DOWN NOW TO NEGOTIATE A WAY OUT.

AND THE THING I WOULD ADD LIKE WE MENTIONED THE CUTS PUSHED FORWARD ON WHAT WAS A BIPARTISAN BUDGET, WE'VE SEEN AT THAT TIME.

THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE FROM THE LAST CONTINUING RESOLUTION THIS IS NOT A CLEAN CONTINUING RESOLUTION.

IT IS A RESOLUTION THAT CUT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FOREIGN AID MAKING US LESS SAFE AT HOME AND ABROAD.

CUT DOLLARS FROM PUBLIC BROADCASTING FROM OUR RADIO STATIONS OUR TELEVISION STATIONS SO IT'S BEEN PROVEN THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATION THAT IS HAPPY AND WILLING TO GO IN AND CUT AND UNDO THE BIPARTISAN DEALS FOR ME AN ABSOLUTE RED LINE IS PREVENTING THE FUTURE CUTS SO THE PRESIDENT CANNOT FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE THREAT TO CUT FUNDING FOR THE KEY BRIDGE.

>> Jeff: THE KEY BRIDGE FELL A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AGO IT'S CLOSE TO WHERE YOU GREW UP IN EASTERN BALTIMORE COUNTY CLOSE TO THE DISTRICT.

THEY ARE STARTING TO DO TEST DRILLINGS ON THE BRIDGE.

WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF CONCERN THAT THE FUNDING APPROVED UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION COULD BE CLAWED BACK?

>> I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

I GREW UP AS YOU MENTIONED NEAR IT.

I FISHED UNDER IT.

I DROVE OVER IT WHEN I GOT MY POLICE LICENSE AND IT WAS A CRUSHING BRO TO THE REGION.

IT IS THE LARGEST INFRASTRUCTURE IN MARYLAND ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY.

AND I THINK THAT IT IS A VERY REAL CONCERN.

WE LOOK AT WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS ARE ALREADY DONE BY CUTTING GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH ACROSS THE COUNTRY IF THEY ARE WILLING TO DO THAT SECRETARY DUFFY CHALLENGED THE INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITY AND VETERAN OWNED BUSINESSES ON THIS PROJECT I BELIEVE WE CAN BE GOOD STEWARDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND INCLUDE THOSE GROUPS IN THE RECONSTRUCTION THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS THREATENED TO PULLBACK FUNDING.

THE SECRETARY PUT FORWARD LETTERS TO THAT EFFECT.

WE SHOULD BE TRANSPARENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE AND QUICK IN THIS.

THE THREAT ON THE KEY BRIDGE IS REAL AND SOMETHING WE SHOULD TAKE SERIOUSLY.

>> Jeff: ANY FRUSTRATION BY YOUR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THE PACE OF THE REBUILD AND THERE IS NOT A LOT INVISIBLE GOING ON EXCEPT KNOCKING DOWN THE OLD BRIDGE AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF THE BALTIMORE BELTWAY ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN ON THE BELTWAY HAS SEEN CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR THREE YEARS NOW.

IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO SPEED THIS STUFF UP?

>> I SUPPORT ANY EFFORT THAT EXPEDITES THE CONSTRUCTION THAT DOESN'T COMPROMISE SAFETY OBVIOUSLY.

AND WHAT WE SAW DURING THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE ON 95 WAS GOVERNOR SHAPIRO ISSUING A STATE OF EMERGENCY REALLY HARNESSING ALL OF THE RESOURCES POSSIBLE THERE.

JUST LIKE I FOR THAT GOVERNOR MOORE AND MARYLANDERS ARE TRYING TO DO THE SAME THING HERE.

I SUPPORT ANYTHING WE CAN DO THAT WILL EXPEDITE THIS BRIDGE IT'S CRITICAL NOT JUST FOR CHILDCARE AND HEALTHCARE BUT IT IS A MAJOR ECONOMIC CORRIDOR.

30,000 CARS ARE TRAVELING EVERYDAY.

HAZMATS CANNOT GO THROUGH THE TUNNELS THEY WERE USING THE BRIDGES SO IT'S CRITICAL WE GET THE PROJECT DONE SAFELY AND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN SEE THE IMPACT EVERY AFTERNOON IF YOU LOOK AT GOOGLE MAPS YOU SEE TRAFFIC NORTHBOUND THROUGH BUTTONLES IT'S RED ON THE MAP AND HAS TO BE FRUSTRATING FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED TO MAKE THAT COMMUTE.

>> AS SOMEONE THAT COMMUTES TO WASHINGTON D.C.

FROM BALTIMORE COUNTY I CAN TELL YOU FROM EXPERIENCE THAT HAVING THAT BRIDGE IN PLACE MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE AND SINCE ITS COLLAPSE IT'S BEEN A BIG DRAIN ON OUR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE BALTIMORE REGION.

SO IT'S BEEN A ABSOLUTE PRIORITY OF MINE TO KEEP THAT FUNDING IN PLACE AND WORKING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO GET THIS BRIDGE DONE, KEEP THE FUNDING IN PLACE AND DO SO AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN AND ANY EFFORT TO MOVE THAT ALONG I WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF.

>> Jeff: THERE'S A SCHOOL OF THOUGHT THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE EPSTEIN FILES WHAT IS THE CONNECTION THERE?

>> I'M GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION.

TURNS OUT WE HAVE 217 ST 218 SIGNATURES NEEDED TO HAVE A VOTE THAT IS FORCED ON THE EPIPEN FILES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THERE'S A BATCH OF REPUBLICANS THAT JOINED THE DISCHARGE PETITION TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO FORCE A VOTE ON THE RELEASE IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVE OUT OF ARIZONA, WHO WAS ELECTED IN A SPECIAL ELECTION EVERY SINGLE PRIOR REPRESENTATIVE IN SPECIAL ELECTIONS FROM PHENOMENA THAT SPEAKER JOHNSON SWORE IN WERE SWORN IN NOT IN FULL SESSIONS BUT SMALLER SESSIONS THE DAY AFTER THEY WERE ELECTED.

THE ONLY WAY WE KNOW THAT SPEAKER JOHNSON IS GOING TO SWEAR IN THE REPRESENTATIVE IS A FULL SESSION WHICH IS BREAKING HIS NORMS.

ONCE WE COME BACK AND HAVE THAT FULL SESSION THERE IS NO WAY TO AVOID SWEARING IN THAT SIGNATURE FOR THE DISCHARGE PETITION WE KNOW AT THAT TIME SPEAKER JOHNSON PROBABLY UNDER DIRECTION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP IS PREVENTING THAT LAST SIGNATURE TO FORCE THE VOTE TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES.

AND YOU HAVE TO ASK WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE THEY HIDING?

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A CONVICTED CHILD SEXUAL PREDATOR.

AND I WOULD SAY AS SOMEONE WHO HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS IN THE FILES I WANT TO KNOW EVERY PERSON WHO MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THESE CRIMES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE TO KNOW AND I DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE FIGHTING IT SO HARD IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

I HOPE WE CAN CHANGE THAT SOON.

>> Jeff: THIS IS A QUESTION FROM BOB, F.D.A.

EMPLOYEES ARE FURLOUGHED AND NO NOTING ON MEDICAL DEVICE RECALLS THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED?

YOU DON'T DISAGREE?

>> BOB POINTS OUT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE IMPACT ON OUR FEDERAL WORKERS IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE IMPACT ON SERVICES TO OUR CONSTITUENTS IT'S ABOUT THE SERVICES THAT THE HARD-WORKING FEDERAL EMPLOYEES PROVIDE.

AND MARYLAND HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THESE CUTS OVER 15,000 MARYLANDERS HAVE BEEN FIRED UNDER TRUMP AND DOGE AND THE FIRINGS BEFORE.

WE ARE NOW IN A PLACE WHERE IT'S HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THIS PRESIDENT IS WEAPONNIZING OUR EMPLOYEES AND THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE BY THREATENING TO FIRE THEM DURING THE SHUT DOWN.

HE IS WEAPONIZING THE PROJECTS IN BLUE STATES ONLY WHY I PUT IN A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PREVENT THE PRESIDENT FROM FIRING FEDERAL EMPLOYEES DURING A SHUT DOWN.

IT'S SO FAR OUT OF THE NORM WHAT HAPPENED UNDER PRIOR SHUTDOWNS THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION BUT WE'VE SEEN THIS PRESIDENT THAT IS OUT OF THE NORMS IN TERMS HOW HE IS INTERACTING WITH CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> Jeff: WE THINK ABOUT THE CUTS THE 15,000 MARYLANDERS BEING FOCUSED ON THE DC SUBURBS, PRINCE GEORGE'S, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, SOUTHERN MARYLAND BALTIMORE AREA DISTRICT, DO YOU SEE PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITIES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

DISTRICT TWO HAS 20,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WE HEAR STORIES HOW THEY ARE IMPACTED BY THE CUTS.

AND WHILE MARYLAND, VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT ARE AT THE FRONTLINES IN TERMS OF THE MOST EMPLOYEES IT'S ONLY 30% OF THE TOTAL FEDERAL WORKFORCE.

70% OF THE REST IS SPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO AS WE'RE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE TO REMEMBER STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE IMPACTED LIKE ON THE HEALTHCARE CONVERSATION WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO PREVENT THE PREMIUMS FROM GOING UP THE MAJORITY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS LIVE IN REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED STATES.

>> JOHNNY OLSZEWSKI MARYLAND'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WE APPRECIATE YOUR STOPPING BY.

ANDY HARRIS RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING THE SHUT DOWN HAPPENED BECAUSE, HE SAID, DEMOCRATS ARE DEMANDING $1.5 TRILLION IN UNRELATED SPENDING INCLUDING HANDOUTS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, BAIL OUTS FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES AND EXTENSIONS OF WASTEFUL COVID ERA PROGRAMS.

>>> NOW THE CAPITAL AIR A FOOD BANK IS OUT WITH A REPORT ON HUNGER IN THE AREA WE SPOKE WITH RADHA MUTHIAH.

>> THE CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK PUBLISHES AN ANNUAL REPORT THAT WE DO WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

THEY ARE THE RESEARCH AND SURVEY EXPERTS THEY CONDUCT THIS FOR US AND THE IDEA IS FOR US TO HAVE AN UP-TO-DATE UNDERSTANDING OF FOOD INSECURITY AND THE ROOT CAUSES OF FOOD INSECURITY ACROSS THE GREATER WASHINGTON REGION.

THIS SURVEY WAS IN MARKET MAY AND JUNE OF THIS YEAR AND WE GOT THE RESULTS AND RELEASED THE RESULTS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

>> Jeff: THAT WAS BEFORE THE SHUT DOWN BUT DURING THE PERIOD WHERE THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE WAS EXPERIENCING SOME CUTBACKS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

YES.

IT WAS IN MARKET LATE MAY AND SO THAT WAS THE TIME-FRAME WHEN WE DID SEE MANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS WHO HAD BEEN RIFTED FROM THEIR PREVIOUS 34R0EU789.

>> Jeff: ONE -- EMPLOYMENT.

>> ONE HEADLINE WAS 36% MORE THAN A THIRD OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCED FOOD INSECURITY IN THE LAST YEAR AND THAT IS A BIG NUMBER.

WHAT DOES THE TERM MEAN?

>> SURE.

WHAT THE TERM MEANS IS THAT ONE IN THREE INDIVIDUALS AT ONE POINT OR MOREOVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR WERE UNCERTAIN WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL WAS GOING TO COME FROM.

AND OTHERS INDICATED THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO LEAD AN ACTIVE, HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.

THOSE ARE THE INDIVIDUALS THAT COMPRISED THE 36% WHO ARE FOOD INSECURE IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON AREA.

>> Jeff: WE KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK ALWAYS THE CASE.

BUT NOW WE'RE IN A SITUATION WHERE A LOT OF PAYCHECKS ARE BEING FROZEN BECAUSE OF THE SHUT DOWN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

ACROSS OUR REGION WE SEE THAT FOOD INSECURITY IS REALLY QUITE PROMINENT AND HIGH AMONGST THOSE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

THEY ARE BARELY MAKE ENDS MEET WHEN THEY HAVE THEIR PAYCHECKS AND SOMETIMES THEY NEED A FEW DAYS OF SUPPORT FROM ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS.

NOW, WITHOUT A PAYCHECK, IT IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE BETWEEN THOSE WHO ARE MORE FINANCIALLY STABLE AND NOW WILL START TO FEEL THE FINANCIAL STRAIN THAT COMES FROM NOT HAVING A PAYCHECK.

>> Jeff: HOW DOES THAT WORK ON A PRACTICAL LEVEL AT YOUR FOOD BANK LOCATIONS AROUND THE AREA?

IF SOMEBODY DOES NEED SUPPORT A COUPLE DAYS A MONTH WHAT DO THEY DO?

HOW DO YOU HELP THEM OUT?

>> I WILL INDICATE AS WE'VE DONE ANALYSIS TO LOOK AT THAT POPULATION THAT MAY NOT BE GETTING A PAYCHECK THERE ARE 75,000 INDIVIDUALS WHO WHEN WORKING AND BEING PAID ARE MAKING ABOUT 90,000 A YEAR OR LESS.

AND STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHEN THEY MISS A PAYCHECK ARE VERY MUCH GOING TO BE IN NEED OF FOOD.

WHAT HAPPENS?

NOW, IF THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN IS PROLONGED AND THERE IS A MISSED PAYCHECK WITH WORK WITH OUR NETWORK OF PARTNERS WE HAVE 400 COMMUNITY PARTNERS ACROSS THE REGION WHO PROVIDE FOOD ON A DAILY, WEEKLY BASIS TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE HIGHLIGHTED A HANDFUL WHO WILL SERVE AS HUBS SPECIFICALLY TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR FURLOUGHED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS.

WE WILL BE PROVIDING THEM WITH EXTRA FOOD THEY WILL HAVE SPECIAL DISTRIBUTIONS GEARED TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THE SHUT DOWN AND THOSE WILL GO INTO EFFECT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SHUT DOWN COMMENCED.

>> Jeff: THAT 90,000 INCOME NUMBER IS GOING TO RAISE EYEBROWS IN PART OF OUR VIEWS AGO OUTSIDE THE HIGH INCOME, HIGH COST METRO AREAS.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> YES.

LET ME EXPLAIN THAT NUMBER.

ACROSS THE GREATER WASHINGTON REGION MANY ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS HAVE A LIVING WAGE CALCULATOR AND ALMOST ALL STATE THAT FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR TO LIVE COMFORT 5B8, MEANING YOU CAN PAY FOR YOUR RENT, CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION, FOOD, ALL THE BASICS YOU NEED ABOUT 140,000 DOLLARS.

SO IF YOU ARE MAKING LESS THAN THAT, YOU NEED TO GET SUPPORT.

IN SOME SPORT OF YOUR BUDGET WHETHER IT'S HOUSING OR FOOD OR CHILDCARE OR TRANSPORTATION TO GET BY.

WE FOCUS ON THAT 90,000 BECAUSE WE KNOW THOSE ARE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO TRULY ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK WITH MAYBE A MONTH'S WORTH OF SAVINGS BUT NOT MUCH MORE TO CUSHION THEM THROUGH ANY EXTERNAL SHOCK.

>> Jeff: AND THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE HAS A REPUTATION FOR ENJOYING GREAT BENEFITS A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKING SIX FIGURES.

BUT THAT IS NOT EVERYBODY.

>> IT'S NOT EVERYBODY EXACTLY.

WHICH IS WHY WE LOOK AT THOSE MAKING 90,000 OR LESS.

WE ARE TARGETING THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WE KNOW ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK AND WITH ONE MISSED PAYCHECK, BUT TWO THEY WILL BE DESPERATELY IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR BASIC NEEDS.

>> Jeff: GEOGRAPHICALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DMV CAPITAL REGION ARE THERE COMMUNITIES, COUNTIES WHERE THE NEED IS HIGHER?

>> WELL, ACROSS ALL OF OUR COUNTIES AND WE COVER THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PRINCE GEORGE'S AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND THE COUNTIES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA HUNGER IS PREVALENT IN ALL NEIGHBORHOODS.

WHEN WE LOOK AT IT COUNTY BY COUNTY, PRINCE GEORGE'S HAS THE HIGHEST RATE OF FOOD INSECURITY.

AND THEN IN VIRGINIA WE'VE GOT PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY THAT HAS A HIGH RATE OF FOOD INSECURITY AND IN DC IT'S RISEN THIS PAST YEAR.

>> Jeff: DOES IT CORRELATE WITH AREAS WHERE THERE IS A HIGH IMMIGRANT POPULATION?

I'M THINKING NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THAT, PEOPLE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT REASONS MAYBE KEEPING A LOW PROFILE THESE DAYS?

>> YES.

I WOULD SAY THERE IS THOSE WHO ARE MAINLY FOOD INSECURE WOULD BE WOMEN LED HOUSEHOLDS WHEN THERE'S CHILDREN IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

BLACK AND HISPANIC FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS.

THAT'S THE PROFILE OF THOSE WHO ARE FOOD INSECURE.

AND I WOULD ADD 75% OR SO OF THEM ARE WORKING AND THEY ARE WORKING MORE THAN ONE JOB.

THAT'S THE PROFILE OF THOSE WHO ARE PRIMARILY FOOD INSECURE.

WHAT WE DO SEE INCREASINGLY IS AT THAT TIME AREAS THAT HAVE A HIGHER CONCENTRATION OF FOREIGN BORN INDIVIDUALS WE ARE SEEING SENSITIVITY AND VULNERABILITY AND CONCERN ABOUT THEM COMING OUT TO TRADITIONAL FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS.

SO WE AND OUR NETWORK ARE THINKING ABOUT ULTIMATE, SAFE WAYS OF GETTING FOOD TO EVERYONE WHO NEEDS IT.

>> Jeff: THESE ALSO MAY BE AREAS THAT LACK ACCESS TO TRADITIONAL LARGE SUPERMARKETS, THE WALMARTS THE TARGETS WHERE THEY HAVE HIGH VOLUME AND THE PRICES MAYBE BETTER.

IN A COMMUNITY WHERE IT'S THE LOCAL BODEGA AND IT IS ANOTHER PERHAPS DISADVANTAGE FOR SOMEBODY ON A TIGHT BUDGET?

>> IT'S ABSOLUTELY TRUE, JEFF.

THESE ARE COMMUNITIES WHICH, YOU KNOW, THE LYNN GO IS FOOD DESERT COMMUNITIES WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE AS GOOD ACCESS TO FULL RANGE GROCERY STORES THAT COVER PROTEIN, PRODUCE, SHELF STABLE ITEMS IT IS A DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR THE COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO GOOD NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND WHATEVER THEY HAVE ACCESS TO BECAUSE IT COMES IN A SMALL SCALE LIKE A CORNER STORE IS MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE.

FOR THOSE ON A BUDGET YOU DONTS AHAVE THE CHOICE AND THE COST OF WHAT YOU WANT TO PURCHASE IS MUCH HIGHER.

AND THAT'S WHY FOOD BANKS LIKE OURS ALSO HAVE PROGRAMS THAT BASICALLY HAVE GROCERY STORE ON WHEELS THAT GO INTO THESE COMMUNITIES TO OFFER MORE VARIETY AND MORE PRODUCE AND PROTEIN AT REASONABLE PRICES.

>> Jeff: WHAT OF THE THINGS IN THE REPORT IT TALKS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF INFLATION WHICH MAYBE ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING WE'VE GOTTEN OVER THE INFLATION RATE IS BACK DOWN TO A MORE NORMAL NUMBER.

BUT THE 20% INFLATION SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN FOOD COSTS HAS BEEN A BIG INPUT INTO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX AND THE REPORT POINTS OUT WAGES HAVE NOT KEPT PACE?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

EVEN THOUGH INFLATION IS BACK DOWN TO A REASONABLE LEVEL WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF THAT INFLATION AND WHAT THAT HAS MEANT FOR A GALLON OF MILK, EGGS, TWO HEADS OF LETTUCE ET CETERA.

SO PEOPLE WHO ARE MANAGING TO GET BY PERHAPS FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND THAT ADDITIONAL TWO TO THREE TO FOUR PERCENT INFLATION MADE IT TOO EXPENSIVE.

AND TO YOUR POINT, THE WAGE INCREASE HAS JUST NOT KEPT PACE.

SO ECONOMIC TERMS THE REAL WAGE HAS GONE DOWN AND THEREFORE PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD AS MUCH AS THEY USED TO BEFORE.

AND THAT IS WHEN WE SEE PEOPLE MAKING DIFFICULT TRADE-OFFS.

FOREGOING NUTRITIOUS FOODS FOR LESS NUTRITIOUS FOODS BECAUSE THOSE FOODS ARE CHEAPER.

>> Jeff: HOW IS THE FOOD BANK PREPARING IN CASE THE SHUT DOWN GOES LONG-TERM?

>> WELL, OF COURSE, LIKE OTHERS WE ARE HOPING THAT IT IT ISN'T PROLONGED.

SHOULD IT BE PROLONGED AND GO BEYOND TWO WEEKS WHICH IS WE KNOW PEOPLE START TO MISS A PAYCHECK WE ARE PREPARING OUR NETWORK.

FIRST AND FOREMOST WE ARE ENSURING WE HAVE AN ADEQUATE FOOD SUPPLY.

MORE PEOPLE THAN NORMAL QUOTE-UNQUOTE WILL BE IN NEED OF FOOD.

ENSURING WE HAVE A LOT MORE FOOD NUTRITIOUS FOOD GOING TO OUR PARTNERS.

ENSURING THAT PARTNERS IN THOSE GEOGRAPHIC AREAS WITH A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF LOWER WAGE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS HAVE THE CAPACITY TO EXECUTE THESE EXTRA DISTRIBUTIONS.

AND THIRD, PARTNERING WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT, STATE GOVERNMENTS TO REALLY ENSURE THAT WE PROVIDE ALL THE SERVICES THAT ARE POSSIBLE TO THIS POPULATION.

AND ALSO TO THOSE WHO ARE ON S.N.A.P.

AND THE CHANGES THAT HAPPENED WITH THE RECENT LEGISLATION THAT WENT INTO LAW THE THE END OF JULY.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO DON'T QUALIFY FOR S.N.A.P.

AND NEED ADDITIONAL FOOD ASSISTANCE.

>> Jeff: WHERE DOES YOUR SUPPORT COME FROM?

I'M SURE IT'S INDIVIDUALS CORPORATIONS, AND IN KIND SUPPORT AND AS WE INCH TOWARDS THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO THINK ABOUT GROUPS THAT THEY WANT TO SUPPORT HOW CAN PEOPLE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FOOD BANK?

>> SURE.

YOU MENTIONED ALL OF THE AREAS WHERE OUR SUPPORT DOES COME FROM, FROM COMPANIES, FOUNDATIONS, INDIVIDUALS AND WE GET A LOT OF FOOD IN KIND AS WELL.

AND THIS IS SORT OF THE BUSY PERIOD FOR FOOD BANKS AS WE APPROACH THE HOLIDAYS.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO HELP AND WOULD LIKE TO HELP, WITH THE FINANCIAL DONATION, THEY CAN GO TO CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK.ORG, AND WE ALSO NEED SUPPORT FROM VOLUNTEERS.

BOTH TO SUPPORT DURING THIS GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN BUT ALSO AS WE GO INTO THE HOLIDAYS WHEN EVERYONE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE FOOD AND MORE VARIETY OF THAT FOOD ON THEIR TABLES.

>> Jeff: RADHA MUTHIAH IS THE C.E.O.

OF THE CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF, MY PLEASURE.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" AND JOIN US FOR THAT FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

YOU CAN SEE PAST EDITIONS OF OUR PROGRAMS ON-LINE AT VIDEO.MPT.TV AND ALSO ON THE FREE PBS APP.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "DIRECT CONNECTION" AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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