New Normal and Beyond
The pandemic is [finally] subsiding, vaccinations are rising, and the saying “back to normal” is heard with prevalence. Applying what we have learned about ourselves and food security across our communities begins with understanding that prior to the pandemic, that there were 1.3 million food insecure Michiganders. The number skyrocketed to close to 2 million people amid the pandemic, but has been decreasing over the past few months. For those 1.3 million Michiganders who were struggling with food insecurity prior to the pandemic, “back to normal” really does not have much appeal. Their return to normal is tradeoffs every month between utilities, rent, food, medicine, transportation, and other life necessities. Who wants that? No one!
Tune in for Food First Michigan with Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, on WJR Radio at 9 PM to hear their ideal of a “new normal and BEYOND!” Let’s go back to normal and beyond – taking what we have learned, applying it, and building the future.
We often discuss the safety net designed to help “catch” those who need it. However, we find that there are policies within the safety net that are counterproductive to helping people find success and become self-sufficient. Work supports are designed to help people live independently. Examples include food assistance, housing assistance, and childcare. However, by the time one earns approximately $13 / hour, they become ineligible for many of these supports. We drop people off of a financial cliff and de-incentivize work. This MUST change!
Albert Einstein wisely said, “We can’t solve problems with the same kind of thinking that we used to create them.” While we did not create the pandemic, food security is a manmade problem. We need to think DIFFERENT, BETTER, & TOGETHER!
Let’s glean from our shared experiences, pool our resources, partner with purpose, and provide solutions by thinking differently than when we created the problem. Let’s start by keeping #FOODFIRST!
Find this episode and all past Food First Michigan episodes at foodfirstmi.org, on Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio.
Apple Podcasts –> https://apple.co/38UUpFk
iHeartRadio –> https://ihr.fm/38WJ2wN