Jessica Seinfeld on Why the State of the American Family Is No Laughing Matter

The holidays often bring added pressure and expense, but for millions of American parents, the anxiety goes far deeper than finding the perfect gift—and a financial crisis is their current reality. Inadequate policy and a shrinking social safety net are forcing them to make impossible choices. This systemic failure drives the mission of the Good+Foundation, whose founder, Jessica Seinfeld, has spent the last 25 years advocating for essential support and mentorship programs.

Below, Seinfeld and Good+Foundation’s chief programs and operations officer, Laurel Parker West, dive into the stark realities and hidden burdens that threaten the well-being of families—and the power that direct, dignified aid can provide.

Systemic Failures That Fuel the Cycle of Poverty

In the wake of the most recent government shutdown, the temporary suspension of emergency SNAP funds cast a spotlight on wider policy failures and the incredible work that the Good+Foundation is doing to address the issues that perpetuate poverty.

One of the biggest misconceptions about financial hardship is that poverty equals unemployment. But, in fact, 82 percent of families receiving aid from Good+ are considered the “working poor”—parents who are fully employed but live below the poverty line. “They’re doing everything they can for their families,” says Parker West. “But about 64 percent—or two-thirds—of them are really needing government benefits like SNAP to make ends meet. And so when freezes or delays happen, it’s really scary… Families are scared and hungry.”

And food isn’t the only expense that’s straining families’ budgets. The biggest hidden burden for parents with babies and toddlers is diapers. As data from the National Diaper Bank Network shows, nearly half the country experiences diaper insecurity, and yet there’s no federal program that ensures this basic health essential gets into the hands and homes of struggling parents. Moreover, since diapers are required by formal childcare settings, this single item can prevent parents from maintaining employment and climbing out of poverty. It’s a vicious cycle.

Beyond immediate health concerns and the requirement for childcare, diaper insecurity can lead to wide-ranging and potentially devastating consequences.

“If [parents] do send their kid to daycare and don’t have enough diapers, they really run the risk of being reported by the daycare to Child Protective Services,” explains Seinfeld. “And getting labeled with neglect as a parent… It funnels them into the justice system, which is almost impossible to get out."

Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the way of policy to incite change. As it stands, families are pretty much on their own—not even SNAP benefits help cover diapers. And this systemic failure creates a vacuum that Good+Foundation is out to fill, focusing on stabilizing families to prevent them from falling further into crisis.

Dignity Through Direct Aid

While material goods—diapers, strollers and other essential gear—will always have a place in the foundation’s mission, Parker West and Seinfeld acknowledge that every family has their own unique needs which can’t necessarily be met with donated items alone. To address this critical gap, Good+ created its cash grants program.

Launched in 2020, as a direct result of the pandemic, Good+ cash grants empower parents with autonomy. “The cash grants were born out of crisis, but… the majority of the funds are used—no surprise—on food, groceries, rent, utilities and baby essentials,” says Parker West. “There was also the father who bought matching pajamas with his 3-year-old daughter,” adds Seinfeld. After gaining custody during a difficult period, he wanted his daughter to feel safe, comfortable and loved in their new home together. "That’s the sort of thing it seems like, ‘Oh, is that such a big deal?,’” says West. “Yes, it really is.”

The realization that basic needs go beyond physical goods—extending into emotional connection—has continually driven the Good+Foundation to evolve. Early on, Seinfeld, whose own mother was a social worker, realized that for true, lasting change to occur, the mission had to focus on the growth, education and development of struggling parents. “Helping somebody lift themselves out of poverty is going to come when somebody has a mentor and a trusted adult in their life,” she explains. “The social workers who help these parents… they either teach them or empower them in some way that possibly they’ve never experienced before."

The foundation’s agility has also helped to uncover underserved demographics, including dads. “A big surprise for us was fathers and how much support they needed and how much support they didn’t have,” Seinfeld says. “When you give fathers an opportunity to learn and grow and be mentored, it can be life-changing for the entire family, whether the parents are together or not. And co-parenting is a huge focus of ours—even if parents aren’t together, that child still deserves to be in a family where there’s good communication and respect.”

The Future for Jessica Seinfeld and Good+Foundation

When Seinfeld started Good+ two-and-a-half decades ago, she didn’t know that her organization would become a veritable village for struggling families. And as the scope of the foundation’s work has grown and evolved, she has turned empathy into action. “I think my empathy has always been there,” she says. “It’s absolutely expanded to something that I’m able to actually put into practice. And my daughter was born 25 years ago; she really fueled the beginnings of Good+Foundation."

On a day-to-day basis, Seinfeld leans on her own tight-knit personal support system to navigate the challenges of modern life: "I really rely on my friends in a way I never have before. And my husband and kids—they’re all in their 20s now. So my kids are a huge part of my support system… It’s just great to all cheer each other on throughout the day.”

This spirit of mutual support extends from her immediate family to their entire circle. “I’m very grateful that I can provide my children and their friends with a very strong sense of home and community,” Seinfeld continues. “On my birthday and on Mother’s Day, I get more texts from my kids’ friends than I do from my own family… I don’t take that lightly. I really appreciate how I’ve served as a second mother to so many kids.”

Reflecting Back and Looking Ahead

Having spent 25 years turning empathy into advocacy, Seinfeld knows that the goal post will keep moving. Until fundamental issues are solved, organizations like the Good+Foundation will stand as pillars of hope and action—because American families need more than words and sympathy; they need dignity and support.

“We worked through the pandemic. We work through sickness. We work through personal loss. We work through government shutdowns. We work through everything at Good+Foundation,” Seinfeld says. “It’s just one of the things that we’re passionate about—never letting our foot off the gas when our families need us.”

The spirit of that commitment requires us all to participate in building and being that village for others around us. Fortunately, there are simple ways to get involved and help. “We have registries right on the Good+Foundation website,” Parker West shares. “As you’re doing your holiday shopping, you can go on there and pick out items that’ll go right to families,” she says, adding that there’s also the option to contribute to cash grants.

The responsibility of addressing these heavy issues can take a toll, and Seinfeld recognizes the need to manage the emotional weight of advocacy and parenthood. She and her husband, Jerry, lean on humor to cope, acknowledging that the seriousness of the work can sometimes call for a comedic release. “I think that the level of humor that’s required these days is at a level I’ve never really experienced before. So we try to laugh and keep it light all the time, because—wow.”