U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) Wednesday highlighted community organizations fighting hunger and poverty in Indiana’s 2nd District in a speech on the House floor.
In August, Congresswoman Walorski made several visits throughout the district to learn more about anti-poverty efforts in northern Indiana, including stops at the Food Bank of Northern Indiana in South Bend, Church Community Services in Elkhart, and the Washington Discovery Academy and Marshall County Neighborhood Center in Plymouth.
Walorski has been working in Congress to examine and reform federal anti-poverty and anti-hunger programs. As chair of the House Agriculture Nutrition Subcommittee, she has held more than a dozen hearings on the past, present, and future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. In June, she joined House Speaker Paul Ryan and several colleagues to unveil “A Better Way to Fight Poverty,” a set of policy ideas for improving the effectiveness of federal anti-poverty programs.
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the important work being done in Indiana’s 2nd District to fight poverty and end hunger.
“This August I visited the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, which serves six counties, and Church Community Services in Elkhart.
“Both have been doing incredible work fighting poverty for decades.
“I also toured the Washington Discovery Academy in Plymouth, where they have a garden to teach kids about nutrition and grow produce for a local food pantry, and the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, whose food pantry serves 400 families each month.
“Mr. Speaker, hearing from those on the front lines of the fight against poverty is the best way to learn what works and what doesn’t.
“That idea is central to the House Republicans’ Better Way agenda.
“Too many people are getting trapped in a cycle of poverty.
“That’s why “A Better Way” calls for innovative and evidence-based solutions.
“By listening to people in our communities and testing new ideas, we can build a bridge out of poverty.
“I yield back.”
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.
