Helping our food-insecure Arlington neighbors

Dr. Andy Semmel has had a long, distinguished career in public service focusing on foreign policy and national security issues, including serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nuclear Nonproliferation from 2003 to 2007.  But the thing he joined us to talk about is his work as a volunteer with the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) since 2008.  AFAC is a local, 25-year-old nonprofit whose mission is to provide supplemental groceries to our Arlington neighbors in need.  They operate 18 sites throughout Arlington County that serve nearly 2,200 families each week.  Andy derives a great deal of joy from this work and considers it something he simply must do not only for the benefit of others, but for his own benefit.  Please note that Andy was delayed in joining the live broadcast, so the interview begins at around the 17:00 mark.  During the first 17 minutes of the show, Sal and Ed offer up information on AFAC along with some interesting statistics and stories.