Elise Gregg

For Joyce Robinson, a veteran and civilian employee with the National Guard, staying busy while she's away from her job isn't an option.

She's been volunteering with Mississippi Food Network, which has helped support those who haven't received SNAP benefits this month.

For NPR News, I'm Elise Gregg in Jackson.

You also do have to bring in talent.

We have plenty of talented people here.

No, you don't.

We don't have talented people here.

No, you don't have certain talents and people have to learn.

You can't take people off an unemployment line and say, I'm going to put you into a factory, we're going to make missiles.