The following is from Congressman Mark DeSaulnier:
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced anti-hunger advocate and Walnut Creek resident, Caitlin Sly, as his guest to the State of the Union on February 24, 2026. As the President and CEO of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Ms. Sly is at the helm of an operation that provides 2.7 million meals per month as part of its mission to end hunger both by serving residents in our local communities and by advocating for public policy to address food insecurity on a systemic level. The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, like food banks around the country, will see increased demand from the nearly $187 billion cuts to CalFresh/SNAP included in Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill signed into law by President Trump last year.
“With more than 5.4 million people in California, including 2 million children, relying on CalFresh, I am honored to have Ms. Sly join me to put a human face to hunger and to call attention to the cruelty of this Administration and the urgent need for action at the federal level to fight food insecurity,” said Congressman DeSaulnier.
“I am honored to attend the State of the Union at the invitation of Congressman DeSaulnier and to help elevate the voices of millions of Americans who face food insecurity every day,” said Caitlin Sly, President and CEO of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. “Hunger affects every state in this country, and federal nutrition programs like SNAP are essential to the health and well-being of our community. The cuts to SNAP and Medicaid represent an attack on the most vulnerable people we serve – seniors, children, working families, veterans, and people with disabilities. Protecting these programs should be beyond partisan politics.”
Mark,
.
Will she have to show ID in order to access the Capitol?
I thought the Democrats were going to boycott that speech. I guess it’s always good to suck up to money.
It’s a perfect night for some political theater. Can’t miss out on that opportunity.
some did; some didn’t.
please explain how flying to DC and sitting in the Capitol resisting anything Trump says is “helping elevate the voices of millions of Americans who face food insecurity every day” No, my guess is this is some sort of payoff for campaign contributions, use of a summer home, endorsement or Mark is dating her…. no mention of a husband or family on any of her social media or about pages. Nothing in politics is EVER done without strings attached. Enjoy your wild weekend Mark, at some point it’d be nice if you accomplished something on behalf of CA-10.
Funny, I read they were holding their own alternative event at Dave and Buster’s.
Never watch those State of the Union things. Not interested. Building up something that is not.
Just a thought,,,,if you have a child and you are not feeding the child, isn’t that child abuse?
The last person to hold her position was paid $317,191. Seems like there is a lot of money to be made in these food programs even if you don’t embezzle $1.2 million like the case in San Francisco.
Geez….. not only will Mark be there, he’s even bringing a date!
Caitlin Sly referred to the “millions of Americans who face food insecurity every day”
I noticed she did not even mention the illegal aliens the Food Banks feed everyday, that’s not a secret but she glossed right over them.
She mentioned “The cuts to SNAP and Medicaid represent an attack on the most vulnerable people we serve – seniors, children, working families, veterans, and people with disabilities” but not a word about the increased demand created by the new illegal arrivals who are taking advantage of the handouts…I wonder why ?
Is the party of inclusion also the party of omission?
The Congressman described his guest as an “anti-hunger advocate.” I think in fairness to providing equal time he should extend an invitation to a “pro-hunger advocate.”
The old adage, “You can feed a man a fish….” comes to mind. Mark is advocating feeding the people. Great! But what are you doing to “Teach a man to fish”?
Asked another way without using metaphor;, what have you done Mark, that will make people self sufficient?
I thought him and Swalhell would sit together as Dumb and Dumber.
Clayton1,
.
Congressman DeSaulnier may very well sit with Congressman Swalwell, as they’ll be sitting on the House floor, while Congressman DeSaulnier’s guest will be sitting in the gallery.
With Rose and Valerie?
The Fearless Spectator,
.
Yes, Maxwell must go free!