They have to get more food than ever ready at Puyallup Food Bank. The number of clients has doubled from roughly two thousand a month, a year ago, to four thousand a month now.
“We’re seeing people who normally are able to get by fine — now they need help,” said food bank CEO Dean Johnson.
And those people need the additional $1400 COVID-19 relief check that’s yet to come from Congress.
On Thursday, KIRO 7 spoke with Washington Senator Patty Murray, the third-ranking leader in the new, slim Democratic Senate majority. Asked whether people might see the checks by the end of February, she responded, “I think that is a fast track for a timeline, because in order to get this passed … remember we are in a 50:50 Senate.”
And if Republicans use the filibuster to block it?
“We have our second alternative … it’s called budget reconciliation … it is a challenging procedure to get through, takes time and a lot of work.”
At Puyallup Food Bank the wait is frustrating. We asked administrative assistant Erica McCuaig how she’s used her relief checks — she responded, “Usually towards the electricity bill.”
McCuaig wants both sides in Congress to focus on the people she helps every day.
“I just wish they could come to an agreement. To help the people. I just know there are a lot of people in need and it hurts,” she said through tears.
The Senate will also hold an impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump, accused of inciting the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. Even though there won’t likely be enough votes to convict him, something Murray strongly supports.
“We use our votes to determine what our democracy will look like. We can never in our country allowed brute force to win over our words. That’s important for this democracy. It’s important for the history of this country and the future of this country.”
The CEO of the food bank is grateful to local citizens who have contributed to fill the gap. Contributions can be made at puyallupfoodbank.org.
Cox Media Group
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