Ivanka Trump made a surprise appearance to help distribute food to families in need ahead of the holidays.
The president’s daughter and adviser partnered with King Jesus Ministry, a Miami-area church, to deliver meals in the southeastern region of the city this week.
Her visit is part of the Farmers to Families Food Box program, a Trump administration initiative designed to aid families struggling amid the financial ruin of the coronavirus pandemic. The program has invoiced more than 130 million food boxes since May 15 and distributed purchased produce to families nationwide.
Trump praised the progress of Farmers to Families Food Box in a tweet recapping her visit to Miami.
“We handed out over 1.5K Farmers to Families Food Boxes to local families,” she wrote. “Seeing the need firsthand, I know the impact this program is making for millions of families across the US.”
Joined @kingjesusmiami for their Holiday food distribution — serving over 1K families.
We handed out over 1.5K Farmers to Families Food Boxes to local families. Seeing the need firsthand, I know the impact this program is making for millions of families across the US
????? pic.twitter.com/qlKHreg9FG— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) December 23, 2020
Her stopover comes as the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause economic devastation throughout the nation. Congress is in the final phases of negotiating a relief package for the millions of people who lost their jobs due to COVID-19. If the legislative body does not reach an agreement by Saturday, those on unemployment will lose their benefits, hurting thousands after jobless claims rose to 885,000 on Thursday. The unemployment rate currently sits at 6.7%, with 10.7 million people unemployed, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While legislators appeared to reach an agreement bound for passage, bipartisan criticism of the bill’s $600 stimulus checks may have dimmed its prospects.
On Tuesday, President Trump called the $600 figure a “disgrace” in a video posted to Twitter. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded to the video in support of the president’s position.
“At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent,” she tweeted. “Let’s do it!”
Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks. At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it! https://t.co/Th4sztrpLV
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 23, 2020
House lawmakers adjourned for the holidays on Monday night. Pelosi can place a new bill before the House on a voice vote, but even a single objection would mandate a full vote of the House in order for it to pass.
