My daughter, Willow, is a Food Policy Analyst for the Jefferson County Department of Public Health. Her job is to manage federal dollars for food security and food justice in her community. She focuses on increasing racial equity and environmental justice through food policy.
Imagine what her job was like during the 43 days of the 2025 government shutdown when the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) came to a screeching halt. While the program serves some 40 million people nationwide, an estimated 38,000 residents in Jeffco—including 13,000 children—rely on SNAP to keep food on their tables.
Rather than go on a rant about how government officials used hungry citizens as pawns in their political posturings, I want to take this opportunity to praise my daughter’s efforts to ensure the county was fully responsive to the needs of the food system and the food pantry in her community. Willow assisted in declaring an emergency disaster for the county and effectively administered funds for the county and the department. She essentially demonstrated to the local government how the food community operates and how to allocate funding during a disaster declaration.
Shortly after the government reopened, Jeffco named Willow “Employee of the Month” and publicly praised her for going “above and beyond” to help get her neighbors fed. We knew Willow would be outstanding in whatever career path she ultimately chose; however, we are incredibly proud that for her, community service has become a way of life. As I said during our speech/toast at her wedding last September, “Willow has put her education and her privilege to admirable use.”
Congratulations, Willow.