>> TONIGHT ON RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

>> JIM IS THE FIRST QUADRIPLEGIC TO JOIN CONGRESS.

HE WAS 16 YEARS OLD WITH HOPES OF BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER WHEN A STRAY BULLET CHANGED HIS LIFE FOREVER.

>> I WAS VERY ANGRY.

FRUSTRATED AND VERY SAD AND DISAPPOINTED AT THE LOSS.

I HAVE DESCRIBED IT AS GOING THROUGH THE DEATH OF THE LIFE THAT I KNEW BEFORE AND WOULD NEVER KNOW AGAIN.

>> A RECENT SURVEY AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE FOUND 33% OF STUDENTS DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL WILL COME FROM.

JOYCE FOCUSED ON FINDING SOLUTIONS BECAUSE SHE USED TO BE ONE OF THEM.

>> THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I WAS SITTING IN CLASS, TRYING TO DECIDE, I HAVE FIVE DOLLARS, WHAT DO I DO?

DO I PUMP GAS SO THAT I HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO PICK UP MY BROTHER WHEN I GET OUT OF CLASSES OR DO I BUY A SNACK BECAUSE I AM SUPER HUNGRY AND I'M SURE EVERYONE CAN HEAR MY STOMACH GRUMBLING?

♪ HOST: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

I AM PAMELA WATTS.

MICHELLE: I AM MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH A CONVERSATION WITH CONGRESSMAN JIM, WHO MADE HISTORY AS THE FIRST QUADRIPLEGIC TO SERVE IN CONGRESS.

DURING HIS 11 TERMS IN THE U.S. HOUSE HE HAS EARNED A REPUTATION AS SOMEONE WHO PUTS PEOPLE OVER ALL IT TAKES RID THE CONGRESSMAN HAS ALSO BECOME A NATIONWIDE LEADER ON A DISABILITY RIGHTS AND CYBERSECURITY.

A FORMER CYBER DIPLOMAT IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION DESCRIBES HIM AS A CYBER GUY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

HE DID NOT ALWAYS HAVE HIS EYES SET ON POLITICS BUT AN ACCIDENT AS A TEENAGER SEVERED HIS SPINAL CORD AND AS HE SAYS, FORCED HIM TO DREAM A NEW DREAM.

JUST LAST YEAR, CONGRESSMAN SAID HE PLANNED TO RUN FOR OFFICE THIS YEAR.

BUT IN A MOVE THAT SURPRISED MANY HE ANNOUNCED IN MID JANUARY THAT HE WOULD NOT SEEK ANOTHER TERM.

WE RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH HIM TO TALK ABOUT HIS LIFE, CAREER AND WHY HE DECIDED NOT TO RUN AGAIN.

JIM: IT DID NOT JUST COME OVER NIGHT, I WAS DETERMINING WHAT I WANT FOR MY FUTURE AND HOW LONG DID I WANT TO CONTINUE TO SERVE.

IT HAS BEEN THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF A LIFETIME TO HAVE BEEN THE CONGRESSMAN FOR THE SECOND DISTRICT FOR OVER 20 YEARS, GOING ON 22 YEARS.

THERE DOES COME A TIME WHERE YOU REFLECT ON HOW MUCH LONGER WILL I CONTINUE TO DO THIS?

AND IT JUST CAME TO THE CONCLUSION AFTER WEIGHING EVERYTHING THAT I DIDN'T WANT SOMETHING WITH A BETTER WORKLIFE BALANCE AND SOMETHING BUT DID NOT INVOLVE GETTING ON AN AIRPLANE AND GOING TO WORK IN D.C..

HOST: CONGRESSMAN JIM LANGEVIN HAS BEEN IN OFFICE SINCE THE MID-80'S.

IN 1984 WHEN HE WAS 30 YEARS OLD HE BECAME THE YOUNGEST SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE COUNTRY RID BUT AFTER MORE THAN THREE DECADES IN ELECTED OFFICE, THE SELF-DESCRIBED POLICY WONK IS LEAVING POLITICS, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

HOST: TO THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE WEIGH IN ON THE DECISION?

YOU WERE THERE DURING THE INSURRECTION, YOU ARE NOT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, BUT YOU WERE IN YOUR OFFICE.

JIM LANGEVIN: IT WAS A FACTOR.

ONE OF THE MANY THINGS THAT MADE ME REEVALUATE THE JOB AND LIFE ITSELF.

HOST: THE DEMOCRAT SAYS THE POLITICAL CLIMATE HAS CHANGED SINCE HE FIRST RAN FOR OFFICE.

SO TO HAVE THE THREATS FACED BY THE COUNTRY.

>> ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2000 ONE I WAS A FRESHMAN IN CONGRESS.

WE SUFFERED ATTACKS THAT DAY BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF IMAGINATION.

HOST: SEVERAL YEARS AFTER LANGEVIN BEGAN SERVING, HE SAYS HE REALIZED THE GROWING THREAT THAT CYBER ATTACKS POSE TO NATIONAL SECURITY.

JIM LANGEVIN: I ENVISIONED A POTENTIAL MAJOR AT CYBERATTACK'S IN THE DEAD OF WINTER.

A WHOLE SECTOR OF THE COUNTRY'S ELECTRIC GRID COULD BE BROUGHT DOWN, NOT JUST FOR DAYS OR WEEKS, BUT POTENTIALLY FOUR MONTHS.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CATASTROPHIC ECONOMIC LOSS, BUT POTENTIALLY LOSS OF LIFE.

>> I SAID IT BEFORE AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN, CYBERSECURITY IS THE NATIONAL AND ECONOMIC SECURITY CHALLENGE OF THE 21ST CENTURY.

HOST: AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE, LANGEVIN HAS BECOME A TRUSTED VOICE ON CYBERSECURITY ISSUES.

HELPING ESTABLISH CYBER OFFICES IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

HE HAS ALSO HELD COUNTRIES INCLUDING RUSSIA ACCOUNTABLE FOR HACKING TARGETS IN THE UNITED STATES.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW WITH RUSSIA, AS IT PERTAINS TO CYBERSECURITY.

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT RUSSIA COULD IN VAIN UKRAINE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS IF THERE IS A RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE, THAT THE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO BE PREPARED.

THAT RUSSIA COULD LAUNCH A CYBERATTACK, IF THE UNITED STATES GETS INVOLVED.

JIM LANGEVIN: THAT'S RIGHT.

AND THAT'S NOT ONLY COMING DIRECTLY FROM RUSSIA, BUT THEY USE PROXIES FOR EXAMPLE OR THEY WILL GET A WINK AND NOD TO SAY THAT RANSOMWARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT OPERATE WITHIN RUSSIA'S BORDERS RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE ACTING WITH IMPUNITY.

AND RUSSIA IS OK WITH THAT, AS LONG AS WHEN THE RUSIAN STATE CALLS ON THEM TO SAY DIAL UP THE RANSOMWARE ATTACKS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES, KEEP US BUSY AND OCCUPIED AND TIED DOWN OVER HERE, SO THAT WE ARE DISTRACTED AND NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT IS GOING ON IN UKRAINE.

I CAN SEE THAT HAPPENING.

SO WE NEED TO BE READY FOR BLOWBACK.

WE NEED TO BE RESILIENT.

HOST: CYBER CUMIN AND RUSSIA HAVE NOT BEEN SHY ABOUT LAUNCHING CYBER ATTACKS -- CYBER CRIMINALS IN RUSSIA.

IN 2021, COLONIAL PIPELINE FELL PREY TO A RANSOMWARE ATTACK WHICH LEAD TO GAS SHORTAGES.

THAT SAME YEAR, HACKERS STRUCK FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS, SHUTTING DOWN THE MEAT PROCESSING PLANTS OF INDUSTRY GIANT JBS.

WHAT IS AT STAKE IF RUSSIA DOES LAUNCH A CYBERATTACK?

JIM LANGEVIN: IT COULD TAKE ANY DIFFERENT FORM, SOMETHING LIKE RANSOMWARE ATTACK'S TO SOMETHING THAT IS MORE SIGNIFICANT, IF THEY CHOOSE TO.

RUSSIA HAS SIGNIFICANT CYBER CAPABILITIES AS DO WE.

THEY KNOW THAT, WE KNOW THAT.

WE HAVE THE TOOLS TO CARRY OUT A STRONG AND DEVASTATING CYBERATTACK OF OUR OWN.

WE HOPE THAT NONE OF THAT COMES UP AND ESCALATES.

IT'S HOST: THE CONGRESSMAN IS NOT JUST KNOWN FOR HIS EXPERTISE ON CYBER ISSUES.

HE IS ALSO PASSIONATE ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> SCAN IS APPROVED.

HOST: IN 2010 ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, LANGEVIN BECAME THE FIRST PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR TO PRESIDE OVER THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

JIM LANGEVIN: THAT WAS AN EXCITING MOMENT, I HAVE TO SAY.

WHAT A PRIVILEGE AND HONOR THAT WAS.

IT IS A MEMORY THAT IS SEARED IN MY MIND.

HOST: LANGEVIN HE IS THE FIRST QUADRIPLEGIC TO SERVE IN CONGRESS.

HE WAS 16 YEARS OLD WHEN HIS HE SAYS HE WAS THEN FORCED TO DREAM A NEW DREAM.

JIM LANGEVIN: I WAS INVOLVED IN A POLICE CADET PROGRAM AND LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT HERE IN MY HOMETOWN OF WARWICK.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH POLICE WORK AND THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE MY CAREER PATH.

MADE THE FBI AT SOME POINT, BUT AS OFTEN CAN HAPPEN, LIFE CAN CHANGE ON A DIME.

I WALKED INTO THE LOCKER ROOM, GETTING READY TO GO ON MY SHIFT, GETTING MY UNIFORM, AND TALKING TO A COUPLE OF POLICE OFFICERS.

LOOKING AT A NEW WEAPON THAT ONE OF THEM HAD JUST PURCHASED.

THE OFFICER PULLED THE TRIGGER TO TEST IT, DID NOT REALIZE THERE WAS A BULLET ALREADY IN THE PIPE OF THE GUN.

AND PULLED THE TRIGGER AND THE BULLET RICOCHETED AND WENT THROUGH MY NECK AND SEVERED BY SPINAL CORD.

HOST: DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT DAY OFTEN?

JIM LANGEVIN: IT DEFINITELY CROPS UP EVEN TODAY.

I THINK BACK ON IT SOMETIMES, IT HAPPENS LESS AND LESS FREQUENTLY OVER THE YEARS OBVIOUSLY.

BUT I WILL STILL HAVE FRUSTRATING DAYS SOMETIMES, WHERE THINGS TAKE TOO LONG OR YOU WISH THINGS WERE DIFFERENT, BUT THIS IS REALITY AND I HAVE ADAPTED.

AND I SAY NO GOOD DWELLING ON THE PAST OR WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN.

HOST: YOU DON'T STRIKE ME AS A RESENTFUL, BITTER PERSON.

JIM LANGEVIN: I'M NOT.

THAT IS ONE THING I AM GRATEFUL FOR AND THAT IS WHERE GOD'S GRACE COMES IN.

OF ALL THE THINGS I WAS NEVER ANGRY.

FRUSTRATED MAY BE AN EERIE SAD AND DISAPPOINTED AT THE LOSS.

I HAVE DESCRIBED IT AS GOING THROUGH THE DEATH OF THE LIFE I KNEW BEFORE AND WOULD NEVER KNOW AGAIN.

BUT I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT FOR WHATEVER REASON, I AM GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

THAT IN AND OF ITSELF IS A BLESSING AND A GIFT.

I WAS NOT ANGRY BECAUSE I THINK ANGER CAN BE ALL-CONSUMING AND IT HOLDS YOU BACK.

I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE DONE AS WELL AS I HAVE IF I WAS LOOKING BACKWARDS AND ALWAYS BEING ANGRY.

HOST: HE CREDITS HIS CATHOLIC FAITH WITH HELPING HIM MOVE FORWARD.

HE TOOK OFFICE AS A PRO-LIFE DEMOCRAT, BUT IN 2021, HE FACED BACKLASH WHEN HE ANNOUNCED HE WOULD SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT CODIFIES ABORTION RIGHTS AN FEDERAL LAW, DESPITE BEING PERSONALLY OPPOSED TO ABORTION.

JIM LANGEVIN: I HAVE BEEN REALLY TROUBLED AND DISAPPOINTED BY WHAT I HAVE SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY RIGHT WING LEGISLATORS AND LEGISLATURES THAT ARE TRYING TO WEAPONIZE THE ABORTION ISSUE.

I LOOK AT THE TEXAS LAW THAT ATTEMPTS TO TURN PEOPLE INTO VIGILANTES AND REPORTING THEIR NEIGHBORS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND NOW WITH THAT ON THE VERGE I BELIEVE OF OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE, THAT WILL FURTHER DIVIDE IN FRAY THE FABRIC OF THE COUNTRY.

I THINK THAT IS UNFORTUNATE.

THOUGH MY PERSONAL VIEWS HAVE NOT CHANGED, I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT AS A MATTER OF PUBLIC POLICY, I DON'T THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN A VERY PERSONAL DECISION OR ISSUE BETWEEN A WOMAN AND HER DOCTOR.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO TRUST WOMEN.

HOST: LANCE EVENTS DECISION NOT TO SEEK REELECTION COMES AS --LANGEVIN'S DECISION COMES AS DEMOCRATS MAY LOSE THEIR SLIM MAJORITY.

JIM LANGEVIN: IT IS TOO EARLY TO DETERMINE WHO WILL BE IN CHARGE OF CONGRESS IN NOVEMBER.

I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE TO DEMOCRATS CAN'T MAINTAIN MAJORITIES IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, IF PEOPLE ARE FOCUSING ON WHAT DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH SO FAR.

HOST: IS IT POSSIBLE THAT CONGRESSMAN LANGEVIN WILL APPEAR ON THE TICKET AGAIN IN A FEW YEARS?

JIM LANGEVIN: NEVER SAY NEVER.

I DON'T HAVE ANY PLANS TO DO THAT, BUT AGAIN, I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN ACTIVE OFFICE FOR MANY YEARS AND I NEVER SAY NEVER, BUT NO PLANS TO RUN FOR ANY OFFICE.

I WILL NOT BE ON A BALLOT THIS COMING NOVEMBER.

BUT WHO KNOWS WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS?

I STILL HAVE A YEAR TO GO IN THIS JOB AND THAT WILL BE MY PRIMARY FOCUS.

HOST: WHAT YOU HOPE YOUR LEGACY WILL BE AS PEOPLE TALK ABOUT YOU 10 OR 15 YEARS NOW, WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO SAY ABOUT CONGRESSMAN LANGEVIN AND HIS TIME IN OFFICE?

JIM LANGEVIN: THAT I MADE A DIFFERENCE, MADE PEOPLE'S LIVES BETTER.

BUT ALSO NOT TO LET CHALLENGES GET IN YOUR WAY.

I BELIEVE IN EDUCATION AS THE GREAT EQUALIZER.

IF YOU WANT SOMETHING BAD ENOUGH, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND DO NOT LET ANYTHING GET IN YOUR WAY.

WE ARE ALL CAPABLE OF A COMPASS AND GREAT THINGS, IF WE TRY.

HOST: ASIDE FROM SPENDING TIME WITH LOVED ONES, CONGRESSMAN LANGEVIN SAYS HE IS NOT SURE WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO AFTER HE LEAVES CONGRESS.

SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY ARE RUNNING FOR HIS SEAT.

AS FOR WHO HE PLANS TO SUPPORT, HE SAYS IT IS TOO EARLY TO THINK OF AN ENDORSEMENT.

WE TURN NOW TO A STORY ABOUT FOOD INSECURITY.

RISING FOOD PRICES CAUSED BY INFLATION, SUPPLY CHAIN SHORTAGES AND OTHER PANDEMIC RELATED ISSUES ARE AFFECTING EVERYONE.

IN THE LAST YEAR, GROCERY COSTS HAVE RISEN MORE THAN 6%.

THE PRICE OF BEEF HAS JUMPED EVEN MORE, RISING NEARLY 20%.

THOSE ALREADY STRUGGLING TO BUY FOOD BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HAVE BEEN HIT THE HARDEST.

INCLUDING ONE GROUP WHICH MAY SHOCK YOU.

MORE THAN ONE IN THREE COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE U.S.

FACED FOOD INSECURITY.

THIS MEANS ALMOST 27 THOUSAND STUDENTS IN RHODE ISLAND DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM.

NO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IS IMMUNE TO THE PROBLEM.

WE FOUND ONE WORKING ON A SOLUTION.

>> HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE HUNGRY?

THAT PRETTY MUCH IS A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS, BUT FOR ME, IT WAS SORT OF LIKE OK, AM I DOING SOMETHING WRONG?

HOST: AFTER A SERIES OF DEAD-END JOBS, DEREK SHERLOCK DECIDED GOING TO COLLEGE WAS THE BEST CHANCE TO GET AHEAD.

WHILE IN SCHOOL, SHERLOCK WOKE -- WORKED PART-TIME JOBS BUT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR FOOD.

DEREK: HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE WHEN I AM GOING INTO A CLASS AND MY STOMACH IS RUMBLING LIKE YOU KNOW THERE IS A SEVEE THUNDERSTORM COMING.

AND HIS SITUATION IS NOT UNCOMMON AMONG STUDENTS AT FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS, THE HOPE CENTER FOR COLLEGE COMMUNITY CENTER AND JUSTICE FOUND NEARLY HALF OF BLACK STUDENTS, 42% OF LATINX STUDENTS AND A THIRD OF WHITE STUDENTS FACED FOOD AND SECURITY APPEARED AT TWO-YEAR INSTITUTIONS THOSE NUMBERS ARE EVEN HIGHER.

>> A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS, AS WELL AS MYSELF WHEN WE WERE IN THE PRE-K TO 12 SYSTEM WERE RELYING ON THE FREE LUNCH AT SCHOOL AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT IS GONE, WHAT ARE YOU DEPENDING ON?

WHEN PEOPLE THINK COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE ALL GOOD, THEY ARE ABLE TO PAY FOR THINGS AS THEY GO, NOT NECESSARILY THE CASE.

HOST: LATONYA MONTERO IS THE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT COURT NADER AT LEARNING FOR LIFE, AN OFFICE AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

SHE CONNECTS STUDENTS TO A NETWORK OF RESOURCES TO SERVE THEIR ACADEMIC, MENTAL HEALTH, SOCIAL SUPPORT AND BASIC NEEDS.

NEEDS THAT SOMETIMES HAVE TO BE PUT ON THE BACK BURNER.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, SOMETIMES, YOU GET TO A POINT WHERE YOU ARE PRIORITIZING I NEED TO BUY THIS TEXTBOOK FOR A CLASS VERSUS I NEED TO EAT TODAY.

HOST: FAITH BUSCHER IS THE GRADUATE ASSISTANT AT THE FOOD FOR THOUGHT PANTRY.

SHE SAYS SHE HAS SPOKEN WITH STUDENTS WHO FACE NUMEROUS OBSTACLES.

INCLUDING ONE WAS LIVING THE CAR.

>> THEY'RE COMING TO SCHOOL, GETTING THE GRADES BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A HOME.

AND THEY DO HAVE THAT STRUGGLE WITH FOOD INSECURITY AS WELL.

SO THEY HAVE HOUSING INSECURITY, FOOD INSECURITY, YES, THEY DO HAVE EDUCATION, BUT IT IS ALMOST LIKE WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

TO GET YOURSELF TO A BETTER PLACE?

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS THE CALL THAT STUDENTS SOMETIMES HAVE TO MAKE, IS THAT I KNOW THAT I DID ABOUT SPOT.

I NEED TO BE ABLE TO HELP SUPPORT MY FAMILY, HELP SUPPORT MYSELF, BUT SOMETIMES GETTING THAT EDUCATION IS HOW YOU GET THERE.

>> WHEN I WAS AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT HERE I FACED FOOD INSECURITY AND THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I WAS SITTING IN CLASS, TRYING TO DECIDE I HAVE FIVE DOLLARS, WHAT DO I DO?

DO I PUMP GAS, SO THAT I HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO GO PICK UP MY BROTHER WHEN I GET OUT OF ROSS'S OR -- OUT OF CLASSES OR DO I I.S.

NOT BECAUSE I'M SUPER HUNGRY AND EVERYONE CAN HEAR MY STOMACH GRUMBLING.

THOSE WERE DECISIONS I MADE OFTEN.

THERE ARE TIMES THAT I USE MY MONEY TO BUY A SNACK AND MY SNACK GOT STUCK IN THE VENDING MACHINE.

SO I CAN LAUGH NOW, BUT IT WOULD ALMOST BRING ME TO TEARS IN THOSE MOMENTS BECAUSE THAT WAS ALL I HAD LEFT.

AND I WAS CHOOSING TO USE IT FOR FOOD.

>> I'VE READ YOUR MESSAGE.

HOST: JOYCE GUARDS ON IS THE DIRECTOR OF LEARNING FOR LIFE.

-- JOYCE GARZAN SHE SAYS THE DEMOGRAPHIC STATE SERVE OUR DRIVERS.

>> WE HAVE ADULT LEARNERS, WE ALSO HAVE 55% OF THE STUDENTS THAT WE CERTAIN THAT ARE ELIGIBLE.

94% OF THE STUDENT SO WE SERVE OUR RHODE ISLAND ELLET -- RESIDENCE AND 62% OF THE STUDENTS THAT WE SERVE IDENTIFIED AS PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> UNBEKNOWNST TO MOST OF THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY, THE STUDENTS THAT WE HAVE WORKED WITH, THEIR GPAS ARE ABOVE IT THERE .0.

SO IT IS NOT THE STUDENTS THAT ARE FAILING THAT ARE COMING TO LOOK FOR SERVICES -- STUDENT GPA 3.0.

THEY JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT OF HELP.

HOST: THESE STUDENTS COME TO LEARNING FOR LIFE TO GET THE HELP.

IT ASSISTS WITH CHALLENGES STUDENTS FACE IN SCHOOL AND LIFE.

IN THE FAT -- IN THE LAST TWO YEARS THE PROGRAM HAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ASSISTANCE WITH ACQUIRING FOOD.

THAT IS BECAUSE IN 2019, THEY CONDUCTED A CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY AND ASKED ABOUT FOOD INSECURITY.

>> THERE WERE 953 RESPONDENTS THAT ANSWERED THAT QUESTION AND THERE WERE 33% OF THE RESPONDENTS SHARING THAT THEY HAD EXPERIENCED FINANCIAL HARDSHIP SPECIFICALLY OBTAINING FOOD.

HOST: WHAT STARTED AS A SMALL SNACK PANTRY HAS EXTENDED IN THE LIBRARY.

DURING THE FALL SEMESTER OF 2021 THAT IS TRIBUTE MORE THAN 700 POUNDS OF FOOD.

STUDENTS STOP BY BETWEEN CLASSES TO GET SNACKS AND OFTEN TAKE FOOD HOME.

>> THEY'VE GOT A CAN OF MIXED VEGETABLE.

I CAN FIND A CAN OPENER, OPEN IT UP AND PUT IT ON A PLATE, THROW IT IN A MICROWAVE AND MAYORS MY DINNER.

OR THERE IS MY LUNCH.

HOST: COLLEGE STUDENTS FACING FOOD INSECURITY HAVE FEW OPTIONS OUTSIDE OF FOOD PANTRIES.

THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM KNOWN AS SNAP CAN OFFER SOME HELP.

>> ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A LONG-TERM SOLUTION, IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN HELP THEM GET THROUGH AND IT CAN CERTAINLY HELP A COLLEGE STUDENT GET THROUGH TO GRADUATION OR GET THROUGH THE SEMESTER.

SO I JUST FEEL LIKE ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE SHOULD LOOK AT IS HOW DIFFICULT THAT PROCESS MAY BE FOR FOLKS.

WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS THAT GET IN THE WAY FOR PEOPLE TO ACCESS THAT RESOURCE.

HOST: IT IS ESTIMATED ONLY FOUR OUT OF 10 STUDENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SNAP BENEFITS ARE RECEIVING THEM.

THAT LEAVES APPROXIMATELY 4000 WHO WOULD QUALIFY, BUT ARE NOT GETTING ASSISTANCE.

CURRENTLY, 2500 COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE STATE OBTAIN FOOD THROUGH SNAP.

>> FOR ME PARTICULARLY, SNAP HELPED ME BE ABLE TO SURVIVE.

HOST: FOR THOSE TO RECEIVE SNAP BENEFITS, THERE ARE LIMITATIONS.

SNAP CANNOT BE USED TO PAY FOR PREPARED MEALS, INCLUDING IN COLLEGE CAFETERIAS.

STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE OR THAN HALF THEIR MEALS FROM A SCHOOL MEAL PLAN CANNOT ACCESS SNAP.

-- MORE THAN HALF THEIR MEALS.

THOUGH IT BECAME A LIFESAVER, THE FIRST TIME SHERLOCK USED THE BENEFITS.

>> I FELT ASHAMED BECAUSE OF THE STIGMA THAT PEOPLE WHO USE SNAP ARE JUST LEECHING OFF OF THE SYSTEM.

HOST: MOST, IF NOT ALL HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT RHODE ISLAND HAVE PROGRAMS AIMED AT ALLEVIATING FOOD INSECURITY.

BROWN UNIVERSITY HAS A STUDENT RUN COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE PROGRAM, CONNECTING LOCAL FARMERS TO STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES AND AREA RESIDENTS.

THEY CAN COME TO CAMPUS AND PICK UP FRESH PRESS -- FRESH PRODUCE, COFFEE, BREAD, DAIRY PRODUCTS AND MORE ON THURSDAYS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.

MEMBERS WHO PAY FOR FULL PRICE SHARES HELP SUBSIDIZE THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FULL PRICE.

THE LEARNING FOR LIFE TEAM IS HOPING TO EXPAND THEIR PATRIOT TO A LARGER SPACE WITH A REFRIGERATOR, SO THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH HEALTHIER ITEMS, SUCH AS PRODUCE.

BUT EVEN LONGER TERM, PEOPLE LIKE MONTERO HOPE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A NEED FOR A FOOD >> PANTRY AT ALL.

I WOULD LIKE TO WORK MYSELF OUT OF A JOB.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

IF WE COULD CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PANTRY STAYS VIBRANT AND CONSISTENT AND WE HAVE FRESH OPTIONS, BECAUSE I THINK THAT HAVING CAN FOODS ALL THE TIME OR MICROWAVABLE MAC & CHEESE ALL THE TIME OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THAT MIGHT GET YOU THROUGH FOR RIGHT NOW BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARILY HEALTHY.

HOST: FOR NOW THE LEARNING FOR LIFE TEAM IS DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS AT RICK GET FED, SO THAT THEY CAN FOCUS ON SCHOOL AND GRADUATE LIKE SHERLOCK.

>> I CAN SAFELY SAY WITHOUT THE FOOD PANTRY, I DO NOT THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FOCUS AS MUCH IN MY COLLEGE CAREER.

I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN FOCUSING MORE ON WHERE AM I GOING TO GET MY NEXT MEAL?

HOST: DEREK SHERLOCK GRADUATED FROM RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE IN 2020 AND IS NOW WORKING IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR IN THE OCEAN STATE.

FINALLY TONIGHT, WE ASKED GUEST COMMENTATOR LILA ALPHONSE TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT FOOD INSECURITY HERE IN RHODE ISLAND AND BEYOND.

LILA: WE KNOW ABOUT THE FRESHMAN 15, EXTRA POUNDS STUDENTS GAIN BY GORGING ON PIZZA AND BEER DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE.

BEFORE TOO MANY STUDENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND IN RHODE ISLAND, GAINING WEIGHT IS NOT THE PROBLEM.

GOING HUNGRY IS.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT BRINGS BACK UNCOMFORTABLE MEMORIES.

I GRADUATED FROM SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY IN THE EARLY 1990'S, WORKING FULL-TIME AT THE CITY'S MORNING NEWSPAPER WHILE I WAS STILL A FULL-TIME STUDENT.

THERE WERE NIGHTS WHEN I HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN BUS FARE TO AND FROM WORK OR BUYING DINNER.

I OFTEN WALK TO THE TUNE A HALF MILES HOME BY MYSELF LONG AFTER MIDNIGHT SO THAT I COULD AFFORD FOOD THE NEXT DAY.

AND I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.

IT IS 30 YEARS LATER, BUT STILL EVERY DAY, THERE ARE STUDENTS AT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WHO ARE DEALING WITH FOOD INSECURITY RATED ON TOP OF THE STRESS OF CLASSES, TESTS AND TUITION.

THE PROBLEM IS BIGGER THAN SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND RISING GROCERY PRICES.

THE FACT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE SHOCKED THAT SO MANY STUDENTS ARE STRUGGLING GOES TO SHOW THAT WE ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH TO SOLVE A VERY REAL PROBLEM.

AS MENTIONED IN THE REPORT YOU'VE JUST SEEN, A RECENT SURVEY BY TEMPLE UNIVERSITY'S HOPE CENTER FOR COLLEGE COMMUNITY INJUSTICE FOUND THAT 29% OF STUDENTS AT FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES AND 39% OF STUDENTS AT TWO-YEAR COLLEGES FACED FOOD INSECURITY IN 2020.

MANY WORRY THAT THEIR FOOD WOULD RUN OUT BEFORE THEY CAN GET MONEY TO BUY MORE.

SOME SKIP FIELDS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD ENOUGH.

MORE THAN HALF OF THEM DID NOT SEEK ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN.

THAT MAKES THE PROBLEM EVEN WORSE.

NOT KNOWING THAT THERE ARE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND SET THE REAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ARE OING HUNGRY EVERY DAY IS LIKELY FAR HIGHER.

STUDENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SEEK OUT OFF-CAMPUS RESOURCES OR GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.

FOOD PANTRIES CAN BE DIFFICULT TO GET TO IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION.

BASIC INGREDIENTS ARE GREAT, BUT ONLY IF YOU HAVE A KITCHEN TO COOK IN.

PEOPLE CAN BE FOOD INSECURE BUT NOT QUALIFY FOR GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE AND THOSE WHO DO I DISCOVER THAT THEIR BENEFITS DO NOT WORK AND SNAP BARS OR DINING HALLS.

EVERY COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY SHOULD HAVE A PROGRAM AND PLACE ON CAMPUS FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED HELP COVERING BASIC NEEDS.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF HURDLES FOR STUDENTS TO FACE AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH COLLEGE.

NOT HAVING ENOUGH TO EAT SHOULD NOT BE ONE OF THEM.

HOST: ARE THANKS TO LILA ALPHONSE AND THAT IS OUR BROADCAST FOR THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM PAMELA WATTS.

MICHELLE: I AM MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER ADDITION OF RHODE ISLAND BS WEEK.

-- RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

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