Volunteer work is nice, but get to work

As working families, elders and disabled folks worried about how they would eat if SNAP benefits were not issued in Novembe, Repr. Michael Baumgartner posted about his staff volunteering at Second Harvest.

While volunteering is lovely, that’s not what we need from our elected representatives, not when they hold the power to either strengthen or dismantle the social safety net.

Volunteering at and donating to food banks, filling little free pantries, spotting neighbors grocery money, hosting community meals — that is what good neighbors do.

But let’s be honest about why so many folks in our com...