First Lady Pool Reports of July 3, 2024

FLOTUS departed RON at 9:30 AM en route to Camp Manitou-Lin in Middleville, Michigan, for an event "to spotlight programs that the Biden Administration has implemented to help ensure kids do not go hungry when school is out," per the White House.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) greeted FLOTUS at the entrance to the camp. Your pooler was then escorted to the camp's kitchen with the rest of the press.

SUN Meals Kitchen Briefing
Stabenow and FLOTUS entered the kitchen with Steve Sallese, the camp's food service director, and Lisa Vanputten, the kitchen manager. Sallese talked about the camp's implementation of the new SUN Meals program that provides 270 lunches each day at the facility. He explained that the kitchen smokes its own pork for the campers and use a lot of local Michigan produce; the barbecue sauce, he says, is made with Michigan cherries. FLOTUS tells him to tip the pan of pork he's been showing her toward the press and gives an enthusiastic "yes!" when he says it's better to serve children this kind of dish instead of processed food.

SUN Meals Remarks
FLOTUS and Stabenow walked into a room with six round tables, where 50 camp staffers and families were seated. A selection of fruits and vegetables were posed on shelves behind a lectern and teleprompters.

Luke Gerke, the camp's executive director, opened by praising the SUN programs for ensuring "equitable access for all kids," because "all kids deserve camp." He introduced Stabenow, who was interrupted by a barking Jack Russell terrier as she said "we are so excited" to welcome FLOTUS to Michigan. "You're getting the extra yelp!" Stabenow ad-libbed.

Stabenow highlighted FLOTUS's efforts on behalf of hungry children and military families and described the Biden Administration's SUN Meals and new SUN Bucks programs. Diandra Jones, a parent of a YMCA camper who participates in the programs, spoke next to praise the free meals and money for "making my life easier" and "taking stress off of me."

FLOTUS began speaking at 10:39 AM. She reminisced about her summers at Girl Scout camp before describing the problems of food insecurity facing children when they're out of school. She talked about how the Biden administration been fighting to lower grocery bills at a time when grocery retailers were seeing record profits. She closed by thanking Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for enabling the SUN programs in Michigan.

Remarks concluded at 10:43 AM; see transcript of full remarks for more detail.

Background on today's visit and programming, from the First Lady's office:

Biden Administration's SUN Bucks Program
Launched by the Biden Administration, SUN Bucks - an evidence-based Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program - is a new grocery benefit available in Michigan and across most of the U.S. Families with eligible school-aged children will receive $120 per child to buy groceries during the summer. The program is expected to serve 21 million kids nationwide this summer, totaling nearly $2.5 billion in grocery benefits. That includes about 900,000 children in Michigan, totaling $108 million in grocery benefits for Michigan families. Parents whose children receive free and reduced-price meals during the school year are eligible for the Biden Administration's SUN Bucks program.

Biden Administration's SUN Meals To-Go Program
Launched by the Biden Administration, the new SUN Meals To-Go program allows families in rural areas to pick up meals or have meals delivered at no cost and without an application to their home, to provide kids 18 and under with nutritious meals during the summer.

Background on SUN Meals Program at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin
Located on Barlow Lake in Middleville, Michigan, YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin offers summer camp, outdoor education, seasonal camps and activities, and corporate and group retreats. YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin receives funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) SUN Meals program - which provides kids with meals and snacks at no cost at summer meal sites like schools and parks, as kids lose access to federally-funded free and reduced-price meals provided at schools during the academic year. The camp typically serves approximately 300 campers with federally-funded USDA SUN Meals each day over the summer.

FLOTUS and Stabenow then made their way to the facility's cafeteria for an event at Camp Corral, an overnight camp for military-connected children.

Remarks

Campers and counselors awaited them at 16 long cafeteria tables. Stabenow introduced FLOTUS, thanking her and the president for the work they've done on behalf of military families.

FLOTUS began speaking at 10:50 AM. "You kids are, really, ordinary kids doing extraordinary things," FLOTUS said, "It's great that you have a chance to come up here to camp and meet other kids who are in the same situation that you're in — that you can talk about some of the challenges, some of the joys." She told the room that the Bidens are a military family, noting her father's service in World War II and that her son Beau had served in Iraq for a year. "We understand some of the challenges you have to face as families," she said.

FLOTUS then asked the children to raise their hands and tell her what they liked best about camp. She walked around with her microphone so the kids could share her answers. The first camper told her he liked the "siesta" time. "Is that when you take a nap? No, I can't believe you kids take naps!" FLOTUS replied. "That's when the camp counselors get a break? Very smart, camp counselors!"

She heard from a half-dozen others before she told the campers she'd be going around to their tables. FLOTUS told the campers that "if there's a message you'd like to give to [the president], I'm happy to take it back" Remarks ended at 10:55 AM.

After remarks, the senator and First Lady went around to each table to take photos with campers. She gave hugs, high-fives, and handshakes to several of them along the way. (Your pooler could not hear any conversations FLOTUS had — the campers loudly sang along to Miley Cyrus' "Party In The USA" as they waited to be photographed.)

Art Project Meet & Greet

FLOTUS and Stabenow joined a dozen Camp Corral campers at picnic tables on the veranda, where they were coloring on a pair of posters themed around the First Lady's "Hidden Helpers" (more details before). The posters will be sent back to the White House and displayed in the East Wing after the 4th, per the First Lady's office.

FLOTUS asked the kids what they were reading this summer and was disappointed to learn the camp didn't have a library — something she told Stabenow they ought to rectify. She had a lengthy exchange with one camper about the plot and themes of Inside Out 2.

Another camper asked FLOTUS what it was like to be First Lady. "It's fun," FLOTUS said. "I get to do different things every single day."

Stabenow Gaggle

Stabenow briefly gaggled with reporters after the events' conclusion. She noted her continued support for President Biden and defend his record on jobs, clean energy, and the cost of prescription drugs. "I don't think we've had a better president in my lifetime for Michigan," she said.

Your pooler asked if she and the First Lady had spoken about the debate performance or the future of his candidacy; Stabenow said they had not.

Motorcade began rolling to Gerald R. Ford International Airport around 11:40 AM.

Additional background from the First Lady's office:

On the event

As part of her Joining Force initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers and survivors, First Lady Jill Biden will visit with local "Hidden Helpers," military-connected children of wounded, ill or injured service members or veterans, who are participating in a Camp Corral program taking place at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin.

On Joining Forces

Joining Forces is the First Lady's initiative to support those who also serve: military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. The First Lady's work and priorities of Joining Forces are guided by the life experiences and the perspectives shared during listening sessions with military-connected families. Dr. Biden has visited over 25 military installations; worked with Joining Forces partners to support over 30 events with the military-connected community; and helped coordinate the Administration's efforts to increase and raise awareness of resources and support for military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors.

On Hidden Helpers Coalition

In April 2021, the First Lady partnered with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project to launch Hidden Helpers [whitehouse.gov], a new initiative designed to create supportive programming for and bring awareness to the 2.3 million children of wounded, ill or injured service members or veterans.

Background on Camp Corral

Camp Corral is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform the lives of children of wounded, ill, or fallen U.S. military heroes by providing camp, advocacy, and enrichment programs. Created in 2011 to give back to the military community in a meaningful way, the organization has since served 33,000 children from every state in the nation.

FLOTUS touched down at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Michigan around 1:00 PM

Greeting the First Lady in Traverse City:

• Chasten Buttigieg, Author and Spouse of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
• Regina Gasco, Chair, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians
• Sandra Witherspoon, Chair, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
• Larry Romanelli, Chief, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal Ogema
• Mayor Amy Shamroe, City of Traverse City, Michigan
• Robert Hentschel, Chair, Grand Traverse County, Michigan

FLOTUS gave Buttigieg a hug and accepted gifts — a tribal necklace and a book, I'm told — from tribal leaders. Buttigieg joined FLOTUS in her car to head to the campaign event.

Your pooler heard FLOTUS cough a few times this morning and asked her staff if she was under the weather. She is not, an aide said, and noted that she had been cycling this morning.

FLOTUS and Chasten Buttigieg arrived at the new Traverse City campaign office around 1:30 PM. The event marked the opening of the 45th coordinated campaign office in Michigan.

Your pooler was escorted inside the office, where roughly 75 Biden supporters had packed in to see the First Lady. (Among the onlookers: Jennifer Anne Montgomery, Secretary Pete Buttigieg's mother.)

Ed Duggan, Michigan's Coordinated Campaign State Director, welcomed the crowd. Duggan talked about the election's stakes, noting this week's Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity. "The things that Donald Trump says himself, like be a dictator on Day One — it's now easier if you look at yesterday's [decision]," he said.

Duggan then introduced "local dignitary" Chasten Buttigieg. He talked about growing up in Northern Michigan and being a "closeted queer kid wondering if you would ever be able to call this place home." He praised the Biden-Harris administration for leading "the most LBGTQ-inclusive administration in America's history" to massive applause. Buttigieg also addressed the fallout from the debate performance: "I know there's been some hand-wringing the last few days, but you cannot be wringing your hands while you're rolling up your sleeves," he said to cheers.

Buttigieg introduced the First Lady by saying he empathizes with being a political spouse — "what it's like to stand in a room and people only talk about your husband."

FLOTUS began speaking at 1:41 PM, taking the microphone to a long, loud applause. "Because there's a lot of talk out there, let me repeat what my husband has said plainly and clearly: Joe is the Democratic nominee and he is going to beat Donald Trump, just like he did in 2020," she said. "Are you ready to help me?" The crowd cheered.

She added: "Joe has been knocked down and counted out his whole life, but when he gets knocked down, he gets back up. When he gets counted out, he works harder. And that's what he's doing, but he needs your help."

Just about two minutes into FLOTUS's remarks, a woman near the front of the room fainted. FLOTUS held her remarks until the Secret Service and EMTs could escort her out of the room. About a dozen other supporters left at this point, as well. (The room was quite hot.)

FLOTUS resumed speaking two minutes later, thanking volunteers for their support. "We don't choose our chapter of history, but we can choose who leads us through it," she said. "The choice in this election is clear. Donald Trump's vision for America is chaos, corruption, and telling lie after lie."

Her remarks wrapped at 1:48 PM. FLOTUS lingered for another 10 minutes to take photos with supporters in front of a wall covered with "Michigan for Biden-Harris" posters.

As the motorcade loaded, your pooler spotted two men holding handwritten signs that said, "Step Aside, Joe."

FLOTUS, still traveling with Chasten Buttigieg, made an unannounced stop at King Orchards in Central Lake, Michigan. She'd visited previously during a campaign stop in September 2020. The president had also previously visited in July 2021.

The motorcade pulled up to a rustic barn and a half dozen picnic tables packed with visitors. FLOTUS was greeted by members of the King family, who have owned and operated the orchard for two generations, per the orchard website: John and Betsy King, Jim and Rose King, Courtney King, Juliette McAvoy, and Genevieve, Juliette's 2-month-old daughter.

Juliette gave FLOTUS a tour of the orchard's store, pointing out the hard cider bar, fresh fruit, and baked goods. The First Lady tried a sample of the orchard's tart cherry juice.

Supporters walked up to FLOTUS as she toured around, asking for photographs and thanking her for what she and her husband do. An aide tells FLOTUS he picked up a bunch of pies for her. "Everyone is coming to the White House — all of my family, for the Fourth of July," FLOTUS told Juliette.

FLOTUS left around 3:40 PM. She purchased pies, cherries, dried cherries, and cider, per an aide.