U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) on Tuesday visited the Washington Discovery Academy and the Marshall County Neighborhood Center in Plymouth, to see nutrition programs up close and meet with those on the front lines of the fight against hunger.
“The people at Washington Discovery Academy and the Marshall County Neighborhood Center are doing incredible work to find innovative, effective ways to fight hunger and create greater opportunity in our communities,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “I’ve seen hunger up close, both overseas and here in Indiana’s 2nd District, and I am committed to fixing the way we fight poverty. As our work continues in Congress, it is critically important that I hear from those who know best what works and what doesn’t. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the great work happening in the Marshall County community.”
At the Washington Discovery Academy, part of Plymouth Community School Corporation, where 65 percent of students receive free or reduced price breakfast, Walorski learned about the school’s garden, toured classrooms, and joined students for breakfast in the cafeteria. Washington Discovery Academy teaches students about nutrition and connects them with food sources through its school garden. Extra produce from the garden has been donated to the Marshall County Neighborhood Center.
After the school tour, Walorski visited the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, a community organization whose food pantry serves more than 400 families each month. Through the food pantry and other resources, the center’s staff and volunteers assist local individuals and families facing poverty. Walorski toured the facility and met with volunteers and staff.
Walorski was joined by Linda Yoder, executive director of the Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF); Angela Rupchock-Schafer, chief development and communications officer of MCCF; Mark Senter, mayor of Plymouth; and various school officials and community volunteers.
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.
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.
