NEWS & UPDATES
A Community Conversation:
Hunger in our Midst: Fighting the Rising Tide
Food Insecurity in Pinellas County
Indivisible FL-13, Fired Up Pinellas and our partners are proud to present another in our Community Conversations series, Hunger in our Midst: Fighting the Rising Tide of Food Insecurity in Pinellas County.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food insecurity refers to a lack of available financial resources for food at the household level.
Moderator Jen Underhill
Jen Underhill, founder of The Literacy Lift, is a reading and writing specialist who works with students of all ages to improve academic performance. She is also the founder and co-chair of the Food Politics Action Team for the League of Women Voters of the St Pete Area and represents the League on the St Pete Food Policy Council. Her advocacy work is focused on helping people understand the impact of food choices on our health and our environment, while also shining a spotlight on the corrupting influence of big food money on our democracy. Jen, a vegan and exercise enthusiast, is passionate about promoting a plant-based diet and helping people connect the dots between the food on their plate and some of the biggest issues of our day.
Panelist Erica Hall
Erica Hall, M.S. CED, MBA, ARM is Chair of the Florida Food Policy Council and sits on the Executive Committee as Vice Chair of the Sierra Club Florida, Suncoast Group and is Vice Chair. She has an extensive background as a community organizer, advocate, non-profit executive and Board member, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) consultant and Senior Legal Professional. She has worked on the development of the Food Policy Council for the City of St. Petersburg and on the Ad Hoc Committee for the Enoch Davis/St. Pete Youth Farm project.
Panelist Wendy Wesley
Wendy Wesley is a registered and licensed dietitian and nutritionist who works to improve the health of her community. She is a food policy activist who writes, speaks and podcasts about food deserts, nutrition literacy and health equity to local and statewide audiences. Wendy works in private practice where she helps her clients eat more nutrient-dense foods to manage chronic disease and reduce their reliance on medications.
Panelist Thomas Mantz
President and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay since 2012 During Thomas’ tenure, meals to the community increased from 20 million to almost 80 million per year. In 2018 the foodbank launched an ending hunger strategy that includes job training, benefits access and other education services to move people towards self-sufficiency.
Partners: Allendale United Methodist Church, Fired Up Pinellas, Indivisible FL-13, Indivisible Safety Harbor and North Pinellas, League of Women Voters St. Petersburg Area, Foundation for Healthy St. Petersburg, Sierra Club Florida, Suncoast Group, USFSP Health Sciences, Women Talk Black
YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE FOR THIS WEBINAR
Register For Zoom Webinar
Indivisible FL-13 Contact Information:
Indivisible FL-13 is a member of the Indivisible Florida Network and the Pinellas Coalition For Immigration Justice.
Pinellas Coalition For Immigration Justice Website
- Indivisible FL-13 Facebook Group (lightly moderated)
- Indivisible FL-13 Facebook Page (official communications)
- Indivisible FL-13 on Twitter
Email Indivisible FL-13 at info@indivisiblefl13.com
Useful Tools:
👉Pinellas County Progressive Calendar
Resist Bot, fax your representatives via text message. Text RESIST to 50409
👉Fax your congressperson for free at FaxZero.com
👉Get action alerts from Countable.us
👉Register to vote, vote by mail!
Florida 13 Congressperson Phone Numbers:
Senator Marco Rubio (R): DC (202)224-3041 Local (813)287-5035
Senator Rick Scott (R): DC (202) 224-5274
Representative Charlie Crist (D): DC (202) 225-5961 Local (888)205-5569
