ANNOUNCER: BRICK BY BRICK IS MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO LEADING SUPPORT FROM: AND MANY MORE.

WE COULDN'T DO THIS WORK WITHOUT YOU.

THANK YOU.

THOMPSON: AS MANY ACROSS THE REGION MARK THE HOLIDAYS BY BREAKING BREAD AND GIVING THANKS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, THERE REMAINS A LARGE SUBSET OF OUR NEIGHBORS, MANY OF THEM WORKING FAMILIES, WHO CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH FOOD INSECURITY.

NOVOTNY: WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT EXPERIENCE, YOU KNOW, A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF PERIODIC PERSONAL CRISES.

BUT WE ALSO JUST HAVE SEEN YEARS OF ESCALATING MORE SYSTEMIC PRESSURE ON HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO INCREASED NEEDS.

THOMPSON: WHETHER THE CAUSE IS THE PRICE OF FOOD, JOB INSTABILITY OR RISING RENTS AND UTILITY COSTS, THE NEED FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE IS PERSISTENT, BUT THOSE PROVIDING SUPPORT CONTINUE TO RESPOND.

REIBER: WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE, WE DISTRIBUTED ABOUT 7.5 MILLION MEALS.

THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR, THAT IF WE CLOSED ON JUNE 30, 2025, WE HAD DISTRIBUTED 47.2 MILLION MEALS.

THOMPSON: GLOBALLY, FOOD BANKS PROVIDE MEAL ASSISTANCE TO TENS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE EACH YEAR, AND THAT TREND HAS INCREASED OVER TIME.

THE GREATEST NEED IS AMONG THE UNEMPLOYED, THE SICK, AND SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLDS.

BAKER: I ALWAYS MAKE SURE I PAY RENT.

WITH THE BILLS IT'S A HIT OR MISS, BECAUSE SOMETIMES I HAVE TO LET A BILL DOUBLE UP TO BUY FOOD.

THOMPSON: BETWEEN FOOD BANKS, FOOD RESCUES AND EVEN MEALS ON WHEELS, ORGANIZATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS ARE STEPPING UP TO HELP.

DORGER: AS YOU GET INVOLVED AND YOU START DOING SOME OF THE FOOD RUNS, YOU SEE, YOU KNOW, WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY THERE IS.

THOMPSON: ON THIS EPISODE OF BRICK BY BRICK, PART TWO OF OUR IVESTIGATION INTO RESPONSES TO FOOD INSECURITY.

WE'VE ALREADY HIGHLIGHTED THE ROLE COMMUNITY GARDENS AND MARKETS CAN PLAY.

NOW A LOOK AT SOME OF THE LARGEST RESPONSES UNDERWAY.

LET'S GET INTO IT.

THIS IS BRICK BY BRICK, SOLUTIONS FOR A THRIVING COMMUNITY.

HELLO AND WELCOME TO BRICK BY BRICK, WHERE WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING SOLUTIONS FOR A THRIVING COMMUNITY IN SOUTHWEST OHIO.

I'M YOUR HOST, ANNE THOMPSON.

TODAY WE CONTINUE OUR REPORTING ON FOOD INSECURITY SOLUTIONS.

AND I'VE GOT THE TEAM WITH ME TO BREAK THIS DOWN.

MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST EMIKO MOORE AND HERNZ LAGUERRE, JR.. HEY, TEAM.

LAGUERRE: HELLO.

MOORE: GOOD TO BE HERE.

THOMPSON: SO, EMIKO, LET'S START WITH YOU.

WITH THE NEED ONLY INCREASING, HOW ARE FOOD BANKS RESPONDING?

MOORE: THE FOOD BANKS IN THIS AREA ARE HUGE.

THEY SOURCE MILLIONS OF POUNDS OF FOOD, WHETHER IT'S PURCHASED OR DONATED.

AND THEY DISTRIBUTE THOSE FOOD TO PANTRIES AND OTHER PARTNER AGENCIES IN THE SERVICE AREA.

AND THEN FAMILIES CAN GO TO THOSE PANTRIES OR PARTNER AGENCIES TO PICK UP THE FOOD.

BUT FOOD BANKS ARE NOT JUST MAJOR DISTRIBUTION CENTERS OR WAREHOUSES WHERE THEY DO THAT VERY WELL.

THEY REALLY WANT TO GET AT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM, FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE UNEMPLOYMENT.

SO THEY HAVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND OTHER INITIATIVES WHERE THEY'RE REALLY TRYING TO EMPOWER OUR NEIGHBORS.

THOMPSON: WITH FOOD INSECURITY YOU DEFINITELY DON'T WANT IT TO GET WORSE.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK UPSTREAM WITH SOMETHING LIKE JOB TRAINING.

WE'LL GET TO THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE EPISODE.

HERNZ, IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S LOTS OF GOOD GROUPS THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM.

AND CAN YOU PREVIEW YOUR VISIT WITH MEALS ON WHEELS?

LAGUERRE: YEAH, I WAS ABLE TO VISIT MEALS ON WHEELS OF SOUTHWEST OHIO AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

AND THEY HAVE A THOROUGH OPERATION.

I MET WITH SOME OF THE WORKERS WHO PACKAGED THE FOOD.

I HOPPED ON A RIDE ALONG WITH ONE OF THE DRIVERS WHO DELIVERS THE FOOD.

AND I EVEN SAT DOWN WITH CHIEF PRODUCTION OFFICER MICHAEL BECK.

IN SHORT, THEY HAVE MANY DEDICATED WORKERS WHO ARE AT MEALS ON WHEELS WHO ARE WORKING TO HELP OUR SENIORS IN NEED GET FOOD.

THOMPSON: IT DEFINITELY TAKES A NETWORK TO RESPOND TO THE MOST VULNERABLE, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING ABOUT YOUR SOLUTIONS.

WE'LL SEE YOU BOTH IN A BIT.

BOTH: SOUNDS GOOD.

THOMPSON: FOOD BANKS, FOOD RESCUES AND GROUPS LIKE MEALS ON WHEELS CERTAINLY HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM BECAUSE BASED ON THE MOST RECENT DATA AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THIS TAPING, OUR REGION IS DOING WORSE THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

AN ESTIMATED 124,000 PEOPLE, OR 15%, ARE CLASSIFIED AS FOOD INSECURE IN HAMILTON COUNTY.

IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, 2023 NUMBERS SHOWED 85,000 RESIDENTS, OR 16%, DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE.

THAT'S HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 13%.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FOOD INSECURITY, WE SPECIFICALLY MEAN INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES WHO DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT OR ANYTHING NUTRITIOUS, AND IN SOME CASES AREN'T ENTIRELY SURE WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL WILL COME FROM.

JOREE NOVOTNY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OHIO ASSOCIATION OF FOOD BANKS, SAYS THE PROBLEM IS ONLY GETTING WORSE.

SHE COMPARES THE SITUATION TO THE NEED PRE-PANDEMIC.

NOVOTNY: ABOUT 800,000 FOOD PANTRY VISITORS PER MONTH PRIOR TO COVID.

LAST YEAR WE AVERAGED 1.4 MILLION FOOD PANTRY VISITORS PER MONTH.

SO WE'VE SEEN AN INCREDIBLY HIGH AND SUSTAINED RATE OF FOLKS THAT JUST AREN'T SEEING THEIR PAYCHECKS OR THEIR OTHER RESOURCES STRETCHED TO MEET THEIR FOOD NEEDS.

THOMPSON: THE OHIO ASSOCIATION OF FOOD BANKS REPRESENTS OHIO'S 12 FEEDING AMERICA FOOD BANKS AND 3600 HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS, WHOSE END USERS ARE OFTEN AT OR BELOW 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, OR BRINGING IN UP TO ABOUT $5,400 A MONTH TO SUPPORT A FAMILY OF FOUR.

THAT AMOUNT SLIDES BASED ON FAMILY SIZE.

MEALS FROM FOOD BANKS AND FOOD RESCUE OPERATIONS HELP FAMILIES SPEND LESS ON GROCERIES, WHICH MEANS THEY CAN SPEND MORE ON OTHER NEEDS, LIKE RENT, UTILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, CLOTHING AND HEALTH CARE.

DESPITE THIS, NOVOTNY SAYS NOBODY CHOOSES TO WAIT IN A FOOD BANK LINE.

NOVOTNY: WHEN PEOPLE DO FIND THEMSELVES ULTIMATELY TURNING TO US FOR HELP, THEY'VE TENDED TO, YOU KNOW, ATTEMPT EVERY OTHER THING THEY CAN THINK OF TO COPE.

WHETHER THAT'S SEEKING HELP FROM FAMILY MEMBERS, SELLING, YOU KNOW, HOUSEHOLD POSSESSIONS TO BRING IN SOME EXTRA INCOME, PICKING UP EXTRA WAGES AT WORK FOR SURE IF THEY CAN.

THOMPSON: MAKING IT EVEN MORE CHALLENGING FOR FAMILIES ARE FEDERAL CHANGES TO SNAP BENEFITS, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM, WHICH TOOK EFFECT THIS NOVEMBER.

THESE CHANGES INVOLVE ELIGIBILITY, WORK REQUIREMENTS AND STATE FUNDING, WHICH COULD SQUEEZE PEOPLE OUT OF THE SYSTEM.

AND OF COURSE, THE SHUTDOWN DIDN'T HELP MATTERS BY THREATENING THE CUT OF ALL SNAP BENEFITS.

FOOD BANKS ARE PREPARING FOR THESE ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES.

BRICK BY BRICK'S EMIKO MOORE CHECKED IN AT FOOD BANK INC., WHICH WORKS WITH MORE THAN 100 NONPROFIT AGENCIES AND PARTNERS THROUGHOUT MONTGOMERY, GREENE AND PREBLE COUNTIES.

SHE FOUND THAT THE RESOURCES ARE A LIFELINE.

MOORE: TRAINING FOR HER CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE CERTIFICATION, DAYTON NATIVE BRITTANY BAKER, A LEAD INFANT TEACHER, ASPIRES TO HAVE HER OWN DAYCARE CENTER.

BAKER: I MEAN, WHEN YOU WALK INTO MY CLASS, YOU SEE I HAVE AFFIRMATIONS.

I AM STRONG.

I AM A MOTHER.

I AM A TEACHER.

I AM, GOD SAYS I AM.

I TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT I DO.

MOORE: WORKING FULL TIME, THIS MOTHER OF FOUR YOUNG CHILDREN HAS TOUGH CHOICES WITH EACH PAYCHECK.

BAKER: I ALWAYS MAKE SURE I PAY RENT.

WITH THE BILLS IT'S HIT OR MISS, BECAUSE SOMETIMES I HAVE TO LET A BILL DOUBLE UP TO BUY FOOD.

MOORE: LIKE MANY FACING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, CIRCUMSTANCES CAN CHANGE UNEXPECTEDLY.

BAKER: NOW, I DIDN'T BECOME A SINGLE MOM BY MYSELF, YOU KNOW, IT HAPPENED.

SO I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO GO THIS PATH.

BUT I WENT THE BEST PATH FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN AND LIFE HAS ITS -- HAVE ITS ROOTS, AND I'M ON ONE.

MOORE: THE NIGHT WE ARRIVED, BAKER WAS DOWN TO THREE PACKS OF RAMEN AND SOME FISH STICKS FOR HER FAMILY OF FIVE TO EAT.

BAKER: FOOD INSECURITIES REALLY HIT WHEN WE COME HOME.

WHEN WE COME HOME, SOMETIMES THERE'S SOMETHING TO EAT, SOMETIMES THERE'S NOT.

MOORE: OFTEN BAKER SKIPS MEALS HERSELF AND ONLY EATS IF ANYTHING IS LEFT OVER AFTER HER CHILDREN HAVE EATEN.

BAKER: ABOUT THREE TIMES A WEEK, IT COMES TO THE DECISION.

I WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE FULL AND FED BEFORE I DECIDE WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.

MOORE: HUNGER IS A SILENT ISSUE, ACCORDING TO AMBER WRIGHT, MARKETING AND ADVOCACY MANAGER OF THE FOOD BANK INC.

IN DAYTON.

WRIGHT: SO WE CALL HUNGER THE SILENT ISSUE, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T TELL JUST BY LOOKING AT SOMEBODY.

THERE'S NOT PHYSICAL CUES ALL THE TIME THAT SOMEBODY HASN'T EATEN OR IS NOT GETTING THE NOURISHMENT THAT THEY NEED.

MOORE: THE FOOD BANK, INC., A DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND WAREHOUSE, PROVIDES 15 TO 18 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD AND SUPPLIES TO 122 PARTNER AGENCIES ACROSS MONTGOMERY, PREBLE AND GREENE COUNTY.

WRIGHT: AND THEY CAN BE ANYTHING FROM FOOD PANTRIES TO MEAL SITES TO KID CAFES OR EVEN VARIOUS TYPES OF EMERGENCY SHELTERS.

THEY ALL GET THEIR FOOD FROM US COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE, AND WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOURCING THAT FOOD.

MOORE: PROCURING A VARIETY OF FOOD THROUGH GRANTS AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, AND ON SITE VEGETABLE GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE, AND THE RETAIL RESCUE PROGRAM, WHERE GROCERIES DONATE THEIR EXCESS FOOD.

WRIGHT: AND SO OUR WORK IS TRYING TO KIND OF HELP REDIRECT SOME OF THIS FOOD LOSS INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO NEED IT AND KEEP IT OUT OF THE LANDFILL.

MOORE: THEY OFFER SENIOR BOXES, A MOBILE PANTRY AND A BACKPACK PROGRAM FOR GRADES K THROUGH THIRD.

WRIGHT: WE TRY TO MAKE THEM VERY KID FRIENDLY.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT GRANOLA BARS.

THIS IS PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY.

MOORE: THE FOOD BANK INC.

AND THEIR PARTNER PANTRIES HELP FAMILIES LIKE BAKER'S MAKE ENDS MEET.

BAKER: I GET PAID ON FRIDAY AND I'M SUFFERING BY MONDAY AND THAT, AND LOTS OF TIMES I FEEL EMBARRASSED.

BUT IT'S LIKE, OKAY, WELL, WE GOT ANOTHER MONTH OF LIGHTS AND WE GOT A WEEK AND A HALF WORTH OF FOOD.

AND SOMETIMES I TRY TO STRETCH IT.

IT DON'T, IT DON'T WORK OUT LIKE THAT.

BUT I THINK THAT WE WOULD BE IN A MUCH WORSE PLACE IF I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PANTRY.

MOORE: RESPONDING TO THE INCREASING NEED, THE FOOD BANK HELD SIX ADDITIONAL MASS FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS IN 2025.

LEE LAUREN TRUESDALE IS THE FOOD BANK'S CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER.

TRUESDALE: WE ARE AT A MASS FOOD DISTRIBUTION AT THE WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY NUTTER CENTER.

OUR HEAVY FOCUS IS ON FRESH PRODUCE AND ALSO PROTEIN ITEMS.

THOSE ARE ITEMS THAT ARE MORE COSTLY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL OR A SENIOR'S FOOD BUDGET.

MOORE: HUNGER IMPACTS OVERALL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

WHILE WRIGHT SAYS IT MAKES LIGHT OF THE ISSUE, SHE APPRECIATES THE TERM HANGRY, A COMBINATION OF HUNGRY AND ANGRY POPULARIZED BY A CANDY BAR COMMERCIAL.

WRIGHT: IT MAKES A VALID POINT: WHEN YOU DON'T EAT, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T -- YOU DON'T SHOW UP YOUR BEST SELF, YOU'RE NOT IN THE RIGHT HEADSPACE.

AND SO IF A FAMILY IS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY, IT COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH THE WAY THAT THEY SHOW UP FOR EACH OTHER, THE WAY THAT THEY SHOW UP IN THE OUTSIDE WORLD AT THEIR JOBS AND THEIR ABILITY TO FUNCTION WELL.

MOORE: DESPITE RECENT STATE AND FEDERAL CUTS, THE FOOD BANK, INC.

CONTINUES TO WORK TO ADDRESS THE CAUSES OF HUNGER.

WRIGHT: WE'RE NOT GOING TO SOLVE HUNGER JUST BY PASSING OUT FOOD ALONE.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ROOT CAUSES OF WHY PEOPLE ARE COMING TO US IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SO UNLESS WE ARE ABLE TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM AND THE FACTORS THAT CAUSE THE NEED IN THE FIRST PLACE, IT IS JUST A BAND-AID.

MOORE: ONE WAY IS THROUGH THEIR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES THE DAYTON EQUITY CENTER, THE DAYTON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, AND A NEW COMMUNITY CENTER ON SITE TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH SERVICES.

WRIGHT: THE BASIS FOR FOOD SECURITY IS STABLE HOUSING, STABLE EMPLOYMENT.

WE DON'T JUST WANT TO FEED THE LINE, WE WANT TO SHORTEN THE LINE.

MOORE: BAKER WANTS LEADERS IN OUR COUNTRY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE IMPACTS OF FOOD INSECURITY.

BAKER: WE NEED HELP.

COME DOWN HERE AND SEE HOW I'M LIVING.

SEE HOW A SINGLE MOTHER THAT'S TRYING EVERY DAY, WALK ALONGSIDE ME FOR A WEEK.

FOOD IS A NECESSITY.

FOOD IS A NECESSITY THAT'S PLAYING WITH PEOPLE'S LIVES.

PEOPLE HAVE CHILDREN.

PEOPLE HAVE FAMILY.

PEOPLE HAVE TO EAT.

THOMPSON: BACK HERE IN THE STUDIO NOW WITH EMIKO.

THANKS FOR SHARING BRITTNEY'S STORY.

THAT WAS REALLY COMPELLING.

YOU KNOW, EARLIER IN THE EPISODE WE BRIEFLY MENTIONED JOB TRAINING, SO TALK ABOUT THAT.

MOORE: SURE.

THE FOOD BANK, INC.

PARTNERS WITH THE DAYTON EQUITY CENTER, WHICH ALSO DOES WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS.

AND THEIR TRAINEES USE THE FOOD BANK SITE AND EQUIPMENT TO OBTAIN, FOR EXAMPLE, FORKLIFT CERTIFICATION, WHICH THEY THEN CAN PARLAY INTO FUTURE EMPLOYMENT.

THEY ALSO TRAIN INMATES WITH THE DAYTON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION ON URBAN FARMING.

AND, YOU KNOW, THIS POPULATION IS ONE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD INSECURITY THE FIRST YEAR AFTER THEY ARE RELEASED.

THOMPSON: THIS PROGRAM SOUNDS REALLY PROMISING.

MOORE: YES.

AND EARLY NEXT YEAR, THE FOOD BANK IS ALSO OPENING A NEW 12,000 SQUARE FOOT COMMUNITY CENTER, ALSO DEDICATED TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES.

THOMPSON: ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING THAT STORY.

THANKS FOR THAT.

MOORE: THANK YOU.

THOMPSON: LIKE FOOD BANK INC., THE FREESTORE FOODBANK BASED IN CINCINNATI, IS ALSO A MAJOR PLAYER IN OUR RESPONSE TO FOOD INSECURITY HERE IN SOUTHWEST OHIO.

ANOTHER ONE OF THE 12 FEEDING AMERICA FOOD BANKS IN OUR STATE THAT WE MENTIONED EARLIER.

OVER THE LAST YEAR, IT PROVIDED 47.5 MILLION MEALS TO PEOPLE IN 20 SOUTHERN OHIO, NORTHERN KENTUCKY, AND SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA COUNTIES.

TWO YEARS AGO, IT OPENED A HUGE WORKFORCE TRAINING AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN CINCINNATI.

THIS IS SUCH A LARGE FACILITY, AND THERE HAVE BEEN STUDIES DONE THAT SHOW IF YOU HAVE A VERY EFFICIENT WAREHOUSE, THEN YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR OUTPUT.

AND SO WHAT DID THIS DO FOR YOU?

REIBER: THIS WAS OUTSTANDING FOR US BECAUSE AS YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING IS BARCODED.

SO OUR WAREHOUSE TEAM KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE EVERYTHING IS AT IN THIS BUILDING.

WE'RE ABLE TO COMBINE THREE LOCATIONS IN THIS LOCATION ITSELF.

SO THAT FIRST AND FOREMOST HAS MADE US MUCH MORE EFFICIENT.

BUT EFFECTIVELY, WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE MORE PRODUCT ON INVENTORY HERE.

WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE EVERYTHING IN OUR WAREHOUSE AND EVERYTHING IS STABILIZED.

THOMPSON: EFFICIENCY IS IMPORTANT.

THE GLOBAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTING FIRM MCKINSEY & COMPANY ESTIMATES FOOD BANKS CAN IMPROVE THEIR THROUGHPUT BY AT LEAST 20-30% BY STREAMLINING THEIR WAREHOUSING.

ANOTHER GOAL FOR THE FREESTORE FOODBANK IS TO INCREASE THE NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF THE FOOD, A CONCERN GENERALLY FOR FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

REIBER: BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT HEALTHY FOOD, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS.

WE HAVE CONTINUED TO TRY TO REPLACE THE HIGH STARCH, HIGH SALT, SODIUM TYPE DIETS WITH, YOU KNOW, THINGS THAT ARE HEALTHIER FOR THE FAMILIES BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IF YOU EAT HEALTHIER, YOU'RE GOING TO BE HEALTHIER.

SO LAST YEAR ALONE, WE DISTRIBUTED OVER 15 MILLION POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT FROM AREA FARMERS, AREA RESTAURANTS, AREA PRODUCERS AS WELL.

THOMPSON: THE FREESTORE FOODBANK'S WEEKEND FEEDING PROGRAM FOR KIDS IS LOW SODIUM, HIGH PROTEIN WITH PLENTY OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

THE FOOD BOXES FOR ADULTS TRYING TO EAT HEALTHIER IN THE FOOD BANK'S DIRECT PROGRAM ARE ALSO NUTRITIOUS.

ONE THING THAT COULD HELP, THE OHIO ASSOCIATION OF FOOD BANKS, JOREE NOVOTNY SAYS OHIO NEEDS TO DOUBLE DOWN ON ITS FUNDED AGRICULTURAL CLEARANCE PROGRAM, WHICH REDIRECTS PRODUCE SURPLUS FROM THE FARMS TO FOOD BANKS.

NOVOTNY: OHIO'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY REMAINS AGRICULTURE, RIGHT?

TO CONTINUE TO HAVE A STRONG, VIBRANT AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY IN OHIO WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE STRONG MARKETS AND STRONG INSURANCE POLICIES FOR FARMERS SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN MAKE ENDS MEET THEMSELVES.

AND THAT'S WHAT FOOD BANKS HAVE FUNCTIONED LIKE FOR DECADES.

SO DOUBLING DOWN ON PROVEN MODELS.

THOMPSON: ONE OF THE MODELS WE HAVE FOR REDUCING FOOD WASTE BEYOND A PROGRAM LIKE THE AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM IS FOOD RESCUE.

OUR REGIONAL FOOD BANKS DO THIS AS A SERVICE OR WORK HAND IN HAND DIRECTLY WITH A NUMBER OF FOOD RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS, AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE OVERALL RESPONSE TO FOOD INSECURITY.

FOOD RESCUE IS THE PRACTICE OF COLLECTING FRESH, EDIBLE FOOD THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE GONE TO WASTE FROM RESTAURANTS, FARMS, GROCERY STORES AND MORE, AND REDISTRIBUTING IT TO LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES FOR OUR NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING HUNGER.

ONE OF SEVERAL GROUPS THAT DO THIS IN SOUTHWEST OHIO, LAST MILE, SAYS IT HAS SAVED MORE THAN 15 MILLION POUNDS OF EXCESS FOOD SINCE 2020, OR 12.5 MILLION MEALS.

40% OF THE FOOD WE PRODUCE ENDS UP IN THE TRASH.

FOOD RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS TRY TO STEP IN BEFORE THAT HAPPENS, DELIVERING DONATED FOOD TO THE HUNGRY.

THEY POINT TO THE 40% FOOD WASTE NUMBER.

BUDO: IF WE JUST RESCUE 25% OF THAT, WE WILL ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM OF FOOD INSECURITY IN CINCINNATI.

AND WE ESTIMATE THAT ROUGHLY 15 MILLION POUNDS IS WHAT WE NEED TO RESCUE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE FOOD INSECURITY.

AND THAT'S, WE THINK, ACHIEVABLE.

THOMPSON: LAST MILE PARTNERS WITH STORES, HOSPITALS AND RESTAURANTS, INCLUDING SWEETS & MEATS BBQ.

GAFFNEY: IT'S A BLESSING BECAUSE GROWING UP, YOU KNOW, I GREW UP IN THE INNER CITY, SO SOMETIMES THIS MIGHT BE THE ONLY MEAL THAT SOMEONE GETS.

THOMPSON: SWEETS & MEATS IS VOLUNTEER JOHN DORGER'S FIRST STOP OF THE DAY.

AN APP SHOWS HIS PICKUPS AND DROP OFFS.

DORGER: I RETIRED ABOUT TWO AND A HALF THREE YEARS AGO AND WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO, GET MYSELF UP OUT OF BED EVERY MORNING.

THOMPSON: YEAH, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE YOU IN ACTION AS WE GO ON A LITTLE RIDE ALONG.

DORGER: THAT'S RIGHT.

LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE FUN.

THOMPSON: SO WHERE ARE WE HEADED?

DORGER: WE'RE HEADED TO A FOOD PANTRY.

IT'S CALLED THE INTERPARISH MINISTRY FOOD PANTRY.

IT'S OUT EAST OFF OF ROUTE 32.

THOMPSON: I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A WHILE.

GIVE US A SENSE OF THE VARIETY OF THE TYPES OF FOOD THAT YOU PICK UP.

LIKE, WHAT KINDS OF FOOD?

DORGER: YEAH.

SO TODAY WE'VE GOT FROM SWEETS & MEATS, WE'VE GOT CHICKEN, WE'VE GOT MAC AND CHEESE, WE'VE GOT GREEN BEANS.

YOU KNOW, WE'LL PICK UP MILK, ORANGE JUICE, FRUIT PUNCH.

WE'LL PICK UP BREAD.

WE'LL PICK UP EGGS.

THOMPSON: ALSO POINTING OUT IN THE APP THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO CHECK YOUR PERSONAL IMPACT.

DORGER: YEAH, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT SHOWS YOU, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE RESCUED A HUNDRED -- YOU KNOW, 100,000 POUNDS OF FOOD AND YOU'VE, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE CREATED, YOU KNOW, 125,000 MEALS.

YOU KNOW, THEY EVEN PUT IN THE AMOUNT OF CO2, YOU KNOW, EMISSIONS THAT YOU'VE REDUCED.

THOMPSON: AND JUST LIKE THAT, WE ARRIVE AT THE IPM FOOD PANTRY.

FOOD RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS REALIZE THE NEED IS INCREASING AND VOLUNTEERS MAKE THIS FOOD DISTRIBUTION POSSIBLE.

I LOVE HOW YOU CALL THE VOLUNTEERS HEROES.

BUDO: YEAH, ABSOLUTELY, BECAUSE THEY'RE OUT THERE DOING A JOB THAT MAKES A REALLY A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THOSE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY.

THOMPSON: OTHER AREA FOOD RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS ARE ALSO HELPING TO FILL THE NEED, INCLUDING LASOUP.

IT RESCUED 1.3 MILLION POUNDS OF SURPLUS FOOD LAST YEAR, TURNING IT INTO 1.2 MILLION READY TO EAT MEALS.

ALONG WITH CAUSE, FOOD INSECURITY FOR SENIORS ALSO INCLUDES CHALLENGES OF TRANSPORTATION AND MEAL PREPARATION.

FEEDING AMERICA ESTIMATES MORE THAN 7 MILLION SENIORS ARE FOOD INSECURE NATIONALLY, WITH THAT NUMBER EXPECTED TO HIT 9 MILLION BY 2050.

BRICK BY BRICK'S HERNZ LAGUERRE, JR.

HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT WITH ONE OF THE KEY ORGANIZATIONS FOCUSED ON THIS PARTICULAR PART OF FOOD INSECURITY, MEALS ON SOUTHWEST OHIO AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

AS SENIORS MAKE UP A LARGER PORTION OF THE POPULATION, THIS RESPONSE REQUIRES MANY HANDS TO MEET THE NEED.

LAGUERRE: IN LATE OCTOBER OF 2025, MEALS ON WHEELS OF SOUTHWEST OHIO AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY BROKE GROUND ON THE PROPERTY OF THEIR FUTURE HEADQUARTERS AT THE FORMER JOHN NOLAN FORD DEALERSHIP IN COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP.

BRICK BY BRICK SAT DOWN WITH CHIEF PRODUCTION OFFICER MICHAEL BECK TO UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THE NEW FACILITIES AND THE GREATER NEED IN THE REGION.

BECK: OUR CURRENT SPACE WAS DESIGNED FOR JUST OVER 300,000 MEALS.

WE DO 1.2 MILLION.

WE ARE OUT OF SPACE.

NOTHING IS DESIGNED THE WAY AN INDUSTRY WOULD DESIGN IT TO FLOW SAFELY AND PROPERLY.

WE MAKE DO, BUT WE CAN'T EXPAND.

WE CAN'T GET INTO NEW PROGRAMS.

WE CAN'T SERVE MORE PEOPLE.

WE'LL BE SO MUCH MORE EFFICIENT AND SAFER IN OUR NEW PROGRAM, SO WE CAN FOCUS ON WHAT OUR SENIORS NEED AND NOT JUST GETTING THROUGH OUR DAILY ROUTINES.

LAGUERRE: MEALS ON WHEELS OF SOUTHWEST OHIO AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY IS A LEADING SERVICE PROVIDER IN GREATER CINCINNATI.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE CHALLENGES SENIORS FACE IN OUR REGION AND NATIONALLY?

BECK: THE SENIOR POPULATION IS GROWING.

BABY BOOMERS ARE AGING INTO THEIR LATER YEARS IN LIFE.

AND MORE AND MORE IT'S THE 401K GENERATION.

IT'S THE FIRST GENERATION THAT DOESN'T HAVE PENSIONS.

SO THERE'S SO MUCH NEED IN THE AREA.

THERE'S SO MUCH FOOD INSECURITY.

1 IN 4 SENIORS LIVE ALONE SO THEY DON'T HAVE ALL THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS.

LAGUERRE: HOW DOES THE MEALS ON WHEELS SERVICE WORK AND CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE OPERATIONS?

BECK: A CLIENT IS REFERRED TO US AND WE SET THEM UP ON MEALS.

WE OFFER CHOICE, SO SENIORS CAN CHOOSE THEIR MENU IN ADVANCE.

FROM THERE, WE SET THEM UP ON A REGULAR DELIVERY SCHEDULE AND OUR DRIVERS WILL GO OUT AND DROP OFF, YOU KNOW, A WELL-ROUNDED MEAL, A BALANCED MEAL THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT.

TOROK: HELLO, IT'S MEALS ON WHEELS.

I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A HEADS UP.

YOU ARE MY NEXT STOP.

LAGUERRE: GRANT TOROK, MEALS ON WHEELS DISPATCHER AND DRIVER, TOOK BRICK BY BRICK ON ONE OF THE EARLY MORNING MEAL DELIVERY ROUTES.

HE'S ON THE FRONT LINES, MEETING THE SENIORS THE COMPANY SERVES, AND HE SHARES THE IMPACTS HE SEES ON A DAILY BASIS.

TOROK: EVERY TIME THAT I'M ON A ROUTE MAKING DELIVERIES, YOU'RE GOING TO GET AT LEAST A FEW PEOPLE THAT, YOU KNOW, TELL YOU WHAT IT MEANS TO THEM.

IT WOULD BE HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING ISN'T NECESSARY AND SHOULDN'T BE INCREASED TO HELP EVEN MORE.

IT'S HARD TO PUT AN EXACT NUMBER ON, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE WITHOUT IT?

LAGUERRE: AT THE GROUNDBREAKING, WE MET MARY MITTS, WHO SPOKE DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

MITTS: HI, EVERYONE.

LAGUERRE: THE 82 YEAR OLD FIRST HEARD ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS AFTER A MEDICAL PROCEDURE LIMITED HER MOBILITY.

HER CLOSEST FAMILY MEMBER LIVES IN FLORIDA, AND SHE LIVES ALONE IN THE HOME SHE'S HAD FOR 62 YEARS.

I ASKED HER TO DESCRIBE WHAT MEALS ON WHEELS HAS GIVEN HER.

MITTS: INDEPENDENCE, COMPANIONSHIP, AND JUST HELP AS YOU GET OLDER TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN MY OWN HOME.

LAGUERRE: MARY SHARES HOW THESE DRIVERS NOT ONLY DELIVER FOOD, THEY DELIVER FRIENDSHIP.

MITTS: COMPANIONSHIP MOSTLY IS BY THE PEOPLE COMING TO DELIVER MY MEALS.

I TALK TO THEM, I TALK TO THE SERVICE PEOPLE, AND, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GET KIND OF DEPRESSED, ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER TIME, AND THEY'RE ALWAYS THERE TO KIND OF LIFT YOU UP.

LAGUERRE: WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FORESEE THAT MAY AFFECT THE OPERATIONS OF THIS BUSINESS AND ALSO THE SENIORS THAT YOU SERVE?

BECK: SOON THERE WILL BE MORE SENIORS IN THE UNITED STATES THAN THERE ARE PEOPLE 18 AND UNDER.

THAT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

IT'S THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT FUNDS THROUGH TAXES AND OTHER PROGRAMS, FUNDS WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR SENIORS.

AND SO HOW ARE WE GOING TO BRIDGE THAT GAP?

THERE'S LESS PEOPLE PUTTING INTO THE FUND, BUT THERE'S MORE SENIORS THAT NEED HELP.

SO WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE THAT OUT, YOU KNOW, AND WE'LL DO THAT AGAIN THROUGH COLLABORATION AND THROUGH DIVERSIFICATION.

WE'VE GOT TO FIND DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET THE JOB DONE.

LAGUERRE: AND WITH THE EVER EXPANDING CHALLENGES SENIORS MAY FACE IN THE NEAR FUTURE, MEALS ON WHEELS EXPANSION SIGNALS THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO GO THE DISTANCE.

FOR BRICK BY BRICK, I'M HERNZ LAGUERRE, JR.. THOMPSON: YOU MIGHT WONDER IF THE PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY MEALS ON WHEELS TRANSLATE INTO BETTER HEALTH FOR OLDER ADULTS.

THE ORGANIZATION POINTS TO 38 INDEPENDENT STUDIES THAT FOUND INCREASED FOOD SECURITY, IMPROVED DIET, REDUCED HEALTH CARE COSTS, AND MORE.

SEPARATE RESEARCH ANALYZING OTHER STUDIES ALSO DETERMINED A BENEFICIAL EFFECT.

BEYOND FEEDING OUR NEIGHBORS WHO NEED IT, STUDIES AT WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY FOUND FOOD BANKS ALSO HAVE ECONOMIC EFFECTS ON THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.

TWO FOOD BANKS THERE GENERATED BETWEEN 1 AND $3 MILLION IN THAT COUNTY'S ECONOMY, AND THEY GENERATED LOCAL JOBS.

DATA ALSO SHOWS THAT FOOD BANKS ARE LINKED TO LOWER CRIME FIGURES IN THEIR AREAS.

SO WHAT ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FOOD RESCUE?

THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DID THREE STUDIES AND CONCLUDED THAT BESIDES REDUCING FOOD WASTE, IT IMPROVES FOOD SECURITY IN 90% OF THE PEOPLE IT REACHED.

BUT THERE ARE LIMITATIONS FOR FOOD BANKS AND FOOD RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS.

ONE OF THEM IS TRACKING THE NEED.

AFTER 30 YEARS, THE US GOVERNMENT HAS NOW STOPPED ISSUING HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY REPORTS SAYING THEY HAD BECOME REDUNDANT, COSTLY AND POLITICIZED.

BUT THE OHIO FOOD BANK ASSOCIATION'S JOREE NOVOTNY SAYS THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO GET THE INFORMATION.

NOVOTNY: THE U.S.

CENSUS BUREAU'S AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY MEASURES THAT AT THE COUNTY LEVEL EACH YEAR.

SO WE CAN SEE ABOUT HOW MANY OHIOANS IN EVERY COUNTY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR OUR SERVICES AND DRAW SOME ASSUMPTIONS FROM THAT DATA.

THOMPSON: THE NEED IS EXPECTED TO GROW, BY THE WAY.

ACCORDING TO FEEDING AMERICA, CUTS TO THE SNAP PROGRAM WOULD ELIMINATE 6 TO 9 BILLION MEALS ANNUALLY.

THAT IS THE SAME NUMBER OF MEALS THE NATIONAL FOOD BANK NETWORK PROVIDED LAST YEAR.

NOVOTNY TOLD POLITICO, QUOTE, THERE IS NO WORLD IN WHICH I CAN IMAGINE WE DOUBLE OURSELVES INTO PERPETUITY, UNQUOTE.

AS THE HEAD OF CINCINNATI'S FREESTORE FOODBANK, KURT REIBER PREPARES TO RETIRE NEXT YEAR, HE REALIZES THE CHALLENGES, BUT ALSO HAS HOPE THE ORGANIZATION'S JOB TRAINING PROGRAM AND THOSE LIKE IT CAN SET MORE PEOPLE UP FOR SUCCESS.

THIS PAST YEAR, FREESTORE'S FOOD CULINARY JOB TRAINING PROGRAM GRADUATED 104 STUDENTS.

REIBER: SO THIS IS OUR KITCHEN.

THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE OUR CULINARY TRAINING PROGRAM CALLED CINCINNATI COOKS.

WE HAVE OUR PANTRY AREA HERE, WHICH IS SORT OF ONE OF THE FIVE STATIONS THAT OUR STUDENTS GET ACCLIMATED TO.

SO WHEN THEY'RE DOING INVENTORY CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE OPERATING HERE.

WE HAVE OUR COOKING STATIONS HERE.

WE HAVE SIX DIFFERENT COOKING STATIONS THAT THEY GET EXPOSED TO.

THOMPSON: THE FOOD BANK ALSO HAS A JOB TRAINING PROGRAM FOCUSED ON TRANSPORTATION, INVENTORY, DISTRIBUTION AND LOGISTICS, OR LIFT.

73 OF OUR UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED NEIGHBORS HAVE GRADUATED SO FAR, BOTH EFFORTS AGAIN, HELPING TACKLE ONE OF THE ROOT CAUSES OF FOOD INSECURITY, STABLE EMPLOYMENT HEAD ON.

THIS EPISODE'S JAM PACKED FULL OF INFORMATION.

THE TEAM'S BACK TOGETHER FOR THE TAKEAWAYS.

HERNZ?

LAGUERRE: YEAH.

YOU KNOW, I TEND TO THINK OF OUR SOLUTIONS AS METHODS TO FIXING A LEAK, WHETHER YOU'RE PATCHING UP THE PIPE OR BRINGING OUT THE BUCKET TO CONTAIN THE LEAK.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE COVERED A NUMBER OF SOLUTIONS DURING OUR SERIES SO FAR THAT FIT INTO EITHER CATEGORY.

I FEEL LIKE THIS EPISODE IS MUCH MORE OF THE BUCKET SCENARIO, BUT THIS SOLUTION HAS BEEN THE SOLUTION WHERE I WONDER THE MOST IF THE LEAK CAN BE CONTAINED.

YOU KNOW, IN REGARD TO FOOD INSECURITY, THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS, SO MANY ISSUES THAT ARE BECOMING ADDED CHALLENGES THAT MAKE THE SITUATION HARDER.

WHETHER IT'S THE, YOU KNOW, LOOK AT THE STORY I DID, WHETHER IT'S THE GROWING SENIOR POPULATION OR POTENTIAL CUTS TO FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS BECAUSE OF THINGS LIKE THE RECONCILIATION BILL.

THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN DIDN'T HELP, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

YOU KNOW, IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THAT THESE AGENCIES SEE THE ISSUE AS WELL AND THEY'RE TRYING TO EXPAND.

THEY'RE TRYING TO COLLABORATE MORE.

BUT I WONDER IF ALL OF THAT IS ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE FLOOD OF CHALLENGES COMING OUR WAY.

THOMPSON: YEAH.

SAD BUT TRUE.

IN FACT, STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT 1 IN 7 AMERICANS ARE FOOD INSECURE.

EMIKO?

MOORE: YES, I THINK WE STILL HAVE SOME MISCONCEPTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY ABOUT HUNGER.

WE LIVE IN ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST COUNTRIES, BUT MANY PEOPLE STILL THINK HUNGER IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES.

AS WE'VE REPORTED, WE ARE SEEING RISING COSTS FOR HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, GROCERIES.

AND WE'RE NOT SEEING INCOME KEEP UP WITH THAT.

SO YOU'RE SEEING THIS GROWING IMBALANCE THAT HAPPENS.

AND THAT IMBALANCE IS WHAT REALLY MAKES FAMILIES MAKE SOME DIFFICULT CHOICES.

THEY HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN DO THEY SPEND MONEY ON GROCERIES, OR DO THEY PAY THE ELECTRIC BILL AND KEEP WARM THIS WINTER, OR DO THEY BUY THEIR MEDICATIONS THAT ARE NEEDED?

SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO FIND SOME WAY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES TO COME TOGETHER TO REALLY HELP FIND A SOLUTION.

THOMPSON: AND PEOPLE ARE TAKING HEART IN TERMS OF VOLUNTEERING.

I MEAN, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE DONATING THEIR TIME TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS.

TAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CINCINNATI FREESTORE FOODBANK, WHERE 23,000 PEOPLE ARE VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME, SOME OF THEM DO IT EVERY DAY.

FOR LAST MILE FOOD RESCUE IT'S 800.

SO JUST THINK IF YOU HAD TO PAY ALL THESE PEOPLE AND HOW THAT WOULD BE LIMITING ALL THE HELP.

LAGUERRE: YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF THE GROWING NUMBER OF CHALLENGES, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS MORE THAN EVER.

BUT I WILL SAY IT IS ENCOURAGING, BECAUSE IT'S ENCOURAGING TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAKE IT EASY.

YOU KNOW, I WENT WITH YOU TO THE LAST MILE RUN, AND, YOU KNOW, YOU ONLY HAVE TO DEDICATE AN HOUR OUT OF YOUR TIME A WEEK IN ORDER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SO MANY LIVES.

SO IT IS TANGIBLE.

THOMPSON: SO MANY THINGS THAT COULD HELP.

WE'VE ALREADY HAD TWO EPISODES ON FOOD INSECURITY.

MAYBE MORE WILL BE NEEDED.

LAGUERRE: FOR SURE.

THOMPSON: THANKS, GUYS.

LAGUERRE: NO PROBLEM.

THOMPSON: THAT'S OUR SHOW.

WE HOPE YOU FOUND THIS EXPLORATION INTO THE IMPACT OF HUNGER AND HOW WE CAN AND ARE RESPONDING TO IT WORTHWHILE.

THERE'S CLEARLY A LOT OF WORK TO DO, ESPECIALLY IF WAGES CAN'T KEEP UP WITH COST OF LIVING.

BUT SOME EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS ARE HELPING AS WE BUILD MOMENTUM ON THE ROOT CAUSES.

FOR HERNZ LAGUERRE, JR.

AND EMIKO MOORE, AS WELL AS OUR TEAMS IN DAYTON AND CINCINNATI, I'M ANNE THOMPSON.

WE'LL BE BACK WITH MORE SOLUTIONS SOON.

UNTIL THEN, TAKE CARE.