March 15, 2019
The 2019 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference (AHPC) may be over, but the insights shared throughout the conference still feel fresh and resonant, especially as anti-hunger advocates across the nation continue to fight old and new threats to proven nutrition programs that address food insecurity, while looking to grow efforts to reduce hunger. Such insights were offered by the #hungerpc19 plenary speakers: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE); the Honorable Stephen K. Benjamin; and Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, Ph.D., Diane Yentel, LaQuita Honeysucker, and Matt Knott.
Weren’t able to attend this year’s conference and experience the plenary lineup in person? No worries — we have you covered! See below for full-length videos of the 2019 AHPC plenary speakers.
Lunch Plenary (Sunday, February 24, 2019): With Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester
Rep. Blunt Rochester — a dedicated anti-hunger champion who fought to protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during Farm Bill consideration — shared her inspirational personal story and priorities for protecting and strengthening safety net programs during her “Creating Opportunities and Providing Defense to Anti-Poverty Programs” plenary session.
Key highlights:
Preach, @RepLBR! #HandsOffSNAP #HungerPC19 https://t.co/xi6G5BWVip
— Rebecca Vallas (@rebeccavallas) February 24, 2019
The 5 Ps @LisaBRochester @RepLBR #Hungerpc19
1. Pressure – Apply it
2. Policy & Facts – Know your stuff
3. Players – Know your allies, voices
4. Passion – Don’t let it dim
5. Purpose – Remember why we do this #EndHungerHere— GBFB (@Gr8BosFoodBank) February 24, 2019
Breakfast Plenary (Monday, February 25, 2019): With the Honorable Stephen K. Benjamin (Mayor of Columbia, SC; President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors)
An advocate for individuals and families in need, Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin provided invaluable insights on engaging in the fight to end hunger at the local level.
Key highlights:
Income volatility is real – over 50% of families cannot afford an unexpected $400 bill. – Mayor @SteveBenjaminSC @CityofColumbia speaks to 1100 #HungerFighters at #hungerpc19 on importance of working with your city officials & using data to help address critical social issues. pic.twitter.com/rDoSmii6hc
— Stacey McDaniel (@StaceyMcDanielY) February 25, 2019
“Children can’t raise themselves…It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child has opportunities.” @SteveBenjaminSC #hungerpc19 pic.twitter.com/8VBBNqlYll
— sara seelmeyer (@saraseelmeyer) February 25, 2019
Lunch Plenary Panel (Monday, February 25, 2019): With Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, Ph.D. (Director, Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University; Margaret Walker Alexander Professor, School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University; Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Research), Diane Yentel (President and CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition), LaQuita Honeysucker (Legislative Director, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union), and Matt Knott (President, Feeding America)
During the final plenary session — a panel titled “The Past, Present, and Future of Critical Human Needs Programs in the Shadow of the Shutdown” — Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, Ph.D., Diane Yentel, LaQuita Honeysucker, and Matt Knott offered diverse, expert perspectives on the widespread impact of the partial government shutdown on SNAP, housing programs, retail jobs, and other sectors.
Key highlights:
@dwschanz: the #shutdown showed how vital #SNAPmatters to feed working Americans and their families, and drive food resources into local communities. #hungerpc19 pic.twitter.com/Y2PYryIvoN
— CAFB (@CAFoodBanks) February 25, 2019
70% of jobs being created aren’t paying enough to pay rent. “It’s not that people aren’t working hard enough, it’s that jobs aren’t paying enough” –@dianeyentel #Hungerpc19
— Nicholas Buess (@NickBuess) February 25, 2019
Save the date for the 2020 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference: March 1-3, 2020! Want to be among the first to receive updates on #hungerpc20? Subscribe to our e-publications.
