Ivanka Trump, President Trump’s daughter and senior advisor, at Washington, D.C. volunteerly on Monday at community center help distribute food boxes to families as part of a Trump administration program launched after the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Paula White, a televangelist and adviser to the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative, also joined Ivanka Trump at the D.C. Dream Center to hand out food boxes to local families Monday afternoon. Ivanka and Paula White both wore at the center while meeting with volunteers and placing food boxes in the cars of D.C. residents for about 45 minutes. They were joined about a dozen volunteers outside the center in Southeast D.C.
The $3 billion Farmers to Families Food Box program, announced by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) in April, is designed to connect regional distributors with local food banks, community organizations and other nonprofits to distribute boxes of surplus produce, dairy and meat to families in need across the country.
“Millions of families across this country are benefitting from the Farmers to Families Food Box program, with nearly 40 million boxes of fresh, locally sourced produce, meat and dairy delivered so far,” Ivanka Trump said in a statement.
One thousand food boxes filled with produce, milk and meat will be distributed to families in D.C. on Monday, a White House official said. Monday’s distribution will be supported by groups like Operation Blessing, Blessings of Hope, City Serve and White’s church, City of Destiny.
“I am excited to witness first-hand the good work of faith-based and non-profit organizations in the District to help propel our shared mission of feeding those most in need.” Ivanka added.
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The USDA awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for food boxes distributed from May 15 to June 30. The program was extended last month, with the agency awarding contracts totaling $1.47 billion for July 1 through Aug. 31.
