An exigent circumstance is defined as an emergency situation requiring swift action to prevent imminent danger to life, serious damage to property, the destruction of evidence, or the escape of a suspect. What if we applied the term and definition of exigent circumstances to childhood hunger, or senior citizens experiencing food insecurity?

Join Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, this weekend on Food First Michigan as they break down the exigent circumstances surrounding food security in Michigan. Tune in Saturday at 11:00 PM or Sunday at 9:00 PM on WJR Radio or NewsTalk 760 AM.

At times of crisis, meeting the immediate need and relieving the immediate suffering of the community is essential. The American Rescue Plan includes an extension of the 15% increase in SNAP benefits through September 30th, 2021, extends Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits for the duration of the health emergency, provides $880 million to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and $37 million for senior nutrition through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). This act will provide much needed support for struggling households.

We must be realistic – not optimistic or pessimistic as we work to build a permanent safety net that works for everyone who needs it. Michigan is slated to receive about 10 billion dollars which then must be appropriated by the Michigan legislature within the specified time frame. The stakes are high and basic needs like food must not be used as a political bargaining chip.

There are as many as 50 million people in America who are food insecure. We can bring this number down, together. We cannot let temporary relief take the place of permanent structural change that must take place. If children without food is not an exigent circumstance requiring immediate action, we do not know what is - which is why we will continue to keep #FOODFIRST.