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FOOD BANK SUPERSTAR KRISTINA WONG’S FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY
Food insecurity in the United States is no laughing matter — unless you’re talking about comedian Kristina Wong. Her newest show, “Food Bank Influencer,” set to debut in April 2025, aims to shine a light on food inequities in the U.S. and was heavily inspired by Wong’s experiences volunteering at the World Harvest Food Bank in Los Angeles. This innovative food bank works like a grocery store, allowing clients to fill two grocery carts worth of food for only $40. They aim to destigmatize food disparities and give clients a dignified space to get the essentials they need for their families. When Wong began volunteering at World Harvest, she was blown away by their system, which allows clients to shop for themselves. So, she started creating content for them on social media. She made videos showing off inexpensive grocery hauls as though she were a social media influencer. “‘I’m going to be the world’s first food bank influencer,” she told ASU News. “I’m going to pump this food bank up!’” Wong has long advocated for food banks and has a mission to spread awareness of the food insecurity that so many people in this country face, some of them for the first time. “We’ve all been hungry for dinner, but food insecurity is this long- range condition where you have done things like skip a meal or eat cheaper food because you don’t have access to foods that are culturally or nutritionally appropriate or for you,” she said in an interview with ASU News. Wong is a Gammage artist-in-residence at Arizona State University, and her works combine theater and social activism. Her latest show takes popular tunes and turns them into food bank-inspired parodies like “Expiration Dates Are Lies,” set to “Hit Me Baby One More Time” by Brittney Spears. Along with the fun songs, she shows slides about food banks all over the U.S. At the end of the show, they provide free food to whoever needs it from the food bank.
The passionate comedian hopes to help people open up and share their own stories about facing food insecurity. Not only does Wong want to bring an air of cool to food banks and destigmatize people’s need for free or inexpensive food, but she also wants to expose the deeper systemic problems that keep people starving. “We should know that there is actually enough food for absolutely everybody, but it’s just distributed wrong,” she said in an interview with PBS. For Wong, comedy is the perfect ingredient to help people open up about this challenging and often under-discussed topic. Wong’s mission to open people’s eyes to food waste and the real hunger problem is noble and more important now than ever. Food banks nationwide are seeing a huge increase in the number of people they serve. If you want to help, I encourage you to contact your local food bank. They are always in dire need of donations and volunteers.
I will probably have Wong’s version of “Welcome to the Jungle” stuck in my head for days. “Welcome to the food bank; we have groceries! If you have no money, honey, we take EBT!”
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SKIP THE SPLURGE, SECURE THE FUTURE How to Prioritize Long-Term Financial Goals
Living within your means can be a delightful challenge where you learn how to make the most of what you have (not on your credit card). The secret power move? Shifting your mindset from immediate gratification to long-term fulfillment. Here’s how you can enjoy dancing to the beat of your own financial drum without being swayed by the flash and dazzle of everyone else’s spending habits. Embrace your unique financial journey. It’s time to embrace your financial path. No two financial journeys are alike, so why waste time comparing your fiscal plot twists with someone else’s blockbuster budget? Instead, focus on your own financial goals — like building a robust retirement nest egg or investing in assets that grow over time — so you can create a personalized plan that brings you long-term happiness and security. Budget with your ‘future you’ in mind. Instead of viewing budgeting as a bummer, think of it as planning a bright future for yourself. You’re the boss; every dollar you save is a building block for your future empire, so spend wisely! A good rule of thumb is to take your monthly income and only spend 50% on essentials and 30% on lifestyle, then put 20% toward your savings or paying off debt. This isn’t about cutting out fun; it’s about increasing your future fun fund! Set goals that make your ‘future you’ proud. When setting goals, think about what will make your future self thank you. Instead of splurging on the latest designer bag or a fast car, consider how satisfying it will be to reach financial freedom. Whether it’s being mortgage-free by 50 or having a healthy investment portfolio, these goals can motivate you to stick to your budget with purpose.
Savor the simple joys. While saving for the future, remember to enjoy today responsibly . Embrace the joy in low-cost pleasures like reading a great book, exploring nature, or spending time with loved ones. These activities enrich your life without deflating your wallet. Living within your means doesn’t mean denying yourself all of life’s pleasures — it means making wise choices now to enjoy even greater pleasures later. Let’s all start nurturing our future financial well-being!
THE RICE KRISPIES’ SPACE-AGE SIDEKICK SNAP, CRACKLE, POP AND … POW?
Quick question! How many elves are on a Rice Krispies box? Most of us know that it’s three, with their clever names based on the sounds puffed rice cereal makes in milk — Snap! Crackle! Pop! But did you know that in the early 1950s, Kellogg’s briefly had an out-of-this-world fourth friend appear in two commercials? His name was Pow, a spaceman character designed to represent “the power of whole grain rice,” from which marketers derived his moniker. Zipping around on flying saucers with the original elves, he wore a helmet and put “power into every lightweight spoonful of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies!”
The themed campaign, with replica patches from every manned mission to space up through Apollo 10 as box prizes, aimed to capitalize on the time’s pop culture, which was heavily influenced by the beginning of the space race. According to Smithsonian Magazine, while Pow might have been a flash-in-the-pan character designed to last about as long as the public’s interest in the space race, his three onomatopoetic counterparts hold the title of being the “first and longest-running cartoon mascots to represent a Kellogg’s product.” Having inspired dozens of beloved characters since — from Tony the Tiger to Buzz the Honey Bee and beyond — Snap, Crackle, and Pop are about as classic a team as cereal and milk, with Pow a worthy honorable mention.
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THE GOAT MAKES HIS FOX DEBUT!
Is Tom Brady Ready to (Literally) Call the Shots?
Nearly two years after signing a 10-year deal with Fox Sports, Tom Brady’s debut as an on-air announcer is officially in the books. The seven-time Super Bowl champion was on the broadcast desk for the Week 1 match-up between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8. After a college career with the University of Michigan Wolverines, Brady was a sixth-round pick, the 199th player chosen, in the 2000 NFL Draft. Talent evaluators found him unimpressive, and many sports analysts were uncertain about his future in the league — plus the Patriots already had two other quarterbacks. In the decades since, many have called this decision a stroke of luck that changed the course of professional football history, but others attribute it to the foresight and strategic planning skills of the team’s leadership. Coach Bill Belichick saw what others didn’t during that fateful draft — Brady’s potential. This decision proved to be a pivotal moment for both the team and the player. Whatever the case, Brady has earned his spot in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. Holding 17 NFL records, including nearly every major record for quarterbacks, Brady
is currently an all-time leader in multiple areas, including passing yards, attempts, and touchdown passes. He led the Patriots to six Super Bowl wins in 20 seasons before transferring to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three more years and another championship ring.
Brady’s transition from the gridiron to the broadcast booth marks a significant milestone for his career. His Fox contract pays out $375 million over a decade. By contrast, his 23-year tenure with the NFL netted him around $333 million. This industry-leading deal at nearly $38 million per year earns Brady the title of the highest-paid sports broadcaster ever — just a bit more than sports commentator Jim Rome’s $30 million per year at CBS. Tune in to NFL games all season long to see how the GOAT does behind the mic!
TAKE A BREAK
Perfect Peach Cobbler Made with fresh, juicy peaches and a buttery, golden crust, this peach cobbler is the perfect blend of sweet and tart.
Ingredients
• 6 cups sliced fresh peaches • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces • 1/2 cup milk • 2 tbsp butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. 2. In a large bowl, combine peaches, sugar, 2 tbsp flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg; mix until blended, then spoon into prepared dish. 3. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. 4. Cut in butter with forks or pastry knife until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 5. Add milk and stir until just blended. 6. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto peach mixture and drizzle melted butter on top. 7. Bake for 40–45 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Abundant Apples Cookout Crunchy
Fall Golden Grandparents Harvest
Labor Maple Sports Wind
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Comedian’s Parodies Shine Light on Hunger
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Avoid Impulse Buys With This Smart Budgeting Mindset Pow! The Lost Legend of Rice Krispies’ Space Age Mascot
Can Tom Brady Excel in the Booth? Perfect Peach Cobbler
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The Belgian Malinois Who Protected America
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A TAIL OF COURAGE K-9 Sonya’s Distinguished Service Is Recognized
A national hero from the U.S. Coast Guard had a lot to wag her tail about this year! K-9 Sonya, an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois, was honored with the Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal this March for her extraordinary heroism over the past nine years. The hardworking dog has a long list of achievements and continues to serve the Coast Guard proudly. Sonya was one of 18 explosive detection canines in the Coast Guard, assigned to two duty stations, the Maritime Safety and Security Team in Seattle and the Maritime Security Response Team West in San Diego. Alongside her human partner, Sonya’s primary job was to detect and detract acts of terrorism in the U.S. She has performed more than 5,000 hours of explosives detection work and more than 8,500 vehicle sweeps.
bomb threats in residential and federal buildings, and she has worked with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. One of the highlights of her career was when she found a firearm that was ditched during a high-speed pursuit that was later linked to multiple homicides. Her work ultimately helped to identify the suspect. Sonya has also had the opportunity to attend major events in the country, protecting guests and fans. Over her career, she worked security for four Super Bowls, the Rose Bowl, the U.S. Track and Field Olympics, U.S. World Athletics, PGA tournaments, and many other mass public gatherings. Sonya has assisted in security for four U.S. presidents, high-ranking dignitaries, and world leaders. Sonya retired in 2023 and was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer, but
she didn’t let it stop her from continuing to serve. Sonya worked as the Coast Guard’s first-ever canine recruiter until her passing in April. In a heartfelt message online, Sonya’s handler, Chief Petty Officer James Grant, paid tribute to his partner. “Sonya girl, you were a fighter until the end,” he wrote. “Your loyalty and love will be forever remembered. K9 Sonya, you were the greatest, most loving dog I have ever met.” Sonya’s brave legacy lives on and continues to inspire.
The pooch’s expertise has helped other local law enforcement agencies handle
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