That is why I decided to take a stand and together with my co-plaintiff Robin Hall sue the USDA to make Emergency Allotments available for everyone. I first had to rely on CalFresh as a result of the Great Recession in 2008 and spending 2009 homeless. In my post-homeless life, for a number of years I was a volunteer at the Food Bank. I worked with a group of volunteers from the community all with some experience with food insecurity, who would advocate mostly on the policy side on hunger and poverty issues. That work was very gratifying and there were many successes. Things stayed shut down for months, when they came back, they came back slowly and different from what they were. I was thinking about how I could continue somehow as an anti-hunger advocate when the opportunity to participate in our lawsuit with the Western Center on Law & Poverty and The Impact Fund.
Being involved in the lawsuit has been very gratifying – and continues to be, that’s why I’m writing this! I gave my testimony and shared my experience and hopefully told my story to good effect. Although we lost in the first round at the trial court, I knew it was just the opening shot of a long battle and we weren’t going to give up that easily. I remember those conversations. There was never any, we give up, we’re stuck, we lost, it’s over etc. The Western Center and Impact Fund were always saying, we can try this, we could do that, we could go ask these guys– it was always about finding a way. The high point of the case was the settlement that made sure everyone would receive emergency allotments and put millions of dollars of urgently needed food benefits in people’s pockets. I felt proud to have had a part in what we had accomplished. Looking back on it, that was an unprecedented moment in our history that called for unprecedented responses. With this lawsuit, I think we met The Moment. We did our part to help in a way that had a far-reaching impact. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had as an advocate because it helped so many people.
As I write this, SNAP is about to come under attack again. In states like Iowa, it already has. Make cuts to the safety net including SNAP or we won’t raise the debt limit etc. We all know them. We’ve seen this before. My aspiration is to continue to tell my story and fight to expand the safety net because it really works. It worked for me to rebuild my life from being homeless and it helped me to stay afloat during the pandemic. Not just stay afloat but maybe even be better off and more secure than before the pandemic of the expanded relief under COVID. When you consider all that’s happened since COVID, we’re still living in unprecedented times and I’m grateful for a little added security. As the fight to protect the safety net programs like SNAP ramps up, it should give us all hope that the WCLP and the Impact Fund are working to make sure that programs stay fair, just and equitable.
Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
