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Connections

While new Trump cabinet calls for work requirements for SNAP benefits, a look at programs addressing food insecurity

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Mari Tsuchiya
/
WXXI News
(foreground) TeJay Chess and Saru Harn, (background) Julia Tedesco and Laurencé Walker on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Monday, January 27, 2025
A smiling man with short dark hair wearing a blue button-down shirt and a grey blazer. He is holding a pair of eyeglasses. The word "Connections" appears on the left side of the photo in vertical letters.
WXXI News

Most of the attention for President Trump's cabinet nominees fell on candidates like Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth. But the name Russell Vought might end up being the most powerful.

Vought was narrowly confirmed to run the Office of Management and Budget. During his hearings he endorsed work requirements before Americans receive certain benefits.

This hour, we discuss programs designed to address poverty — specifically, childhood poverty and food insecurity.

Our guests discuss it:

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.
Julie Williams is an associate producer for "Connections with Evan Dawson" and is also the office administrator for radio, news and technology and operations. She started at WXXI in 2019 and has been working on Connections since 2022.