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Connections

Coming up on Connections: Thursday, February 2, 2023

First hour: Recession 101

Second hour: How to help SNAP recipients after emergency benefits end

Recession 101: how do we know if we're in a recession? As some economists told NBC News this week, there's never been an aggressive fight against inflation that didn't lead to an economic downturn. But what defines a recession, and what can we do about it? How long is it likely to last, and how does it impact individual Americans? Our guest is a dynamic communicator who has been talking to the community about this in various settings, and joins us to answer these questions and more. Our guest:

  • Eric Morris, Ph.D., staff economist for Alesco Advisors

Emergency SNAP benefits, which have been offered since the start of the pandemic in 2020, are ending this month. As Foodlink explains, these temporary benefits have provided an extra payment each month, ensuring all SNAP households received at least the maximum monthly benefit. Next month, only regular SNAP benefits will go out. The sunsetting of this program will affect tens of thousands of local households, but local leaders are hoping to fill the gap in various ways. They join us to explain:

  • Mitch Gruber, chief partnerships and strategy officer for Foodlink
  • Denise Read, Monroe County Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Human Services 
  • Luvene Ford, Curbside Market ambassador for Foodlink
Connections
Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.
Megan Mack is the executive producer of "Connections with Evan Dawson" and live/televised engagement programming.