CNN Student News Transcript: April 18, 2008

(CNN Student News) -- April 18, 2008

Quick Guide

Filling the Need - See how one food bank helps people struggling through tough economic times.

The Big One - 1906 - Examine the effects of one of the most significant earthquakes in U.S. history.

Convict Creations - Travel to Germany to check out a clothing line being designed behind bars.

Transcript

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: It's Friday, which is awesome! And it means we're closing out the week here on CNN Student News. Glad to have you with us, I'm Carl Azuz.

First Up: Filling the Need

AZUZ: First up, we want to talk about two issues that are part of all of our lives: food and money. Earlier this week, we told you how rising food prices have led to riots in some nations around the world. President Bush has ordered $200 million in aid to help those countries. And that's not new for America. This country is actually the world's largest provider of food aid, giving more than $2 billion worth last year. But even here in the U.S., soaring gas prices and economic struggles have made it hard for some people to buy basic items. Don Lemon shows us how some organizations are helping out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRYSTAL OGLES, MOTHER: She had open heart surgery when she was born. She does a lot better, but she still has breathing problems, you know. She's like, "Yeah, table food."

DON LEMON, CNN REPORTER: Chrystal and Ariana, like some 16,000 other Atlanta area families, depend on the Atlanta Community Food Bank for help. The fourth largest food bank in the country was founded 28 years ago by Bill Bolling. He says his agency has never seen a higher demand, and from people who never needed his services before.

BILL BOLLING, FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK: We are seeing almost half the people who are coming to our member agencies having a job, sometimes two jobs, and not being able to make ends meet.

LEMON: Joann Cainion uses the services. She has no health insurance, and even with two jobs doing domestic work five days a week and alterations, she still can't afford to put food on her table. Add to that the spiraling cost of driving across town to work.

JOANN CAINION: It's sickening, 'cause see, if your gas keep going up and your paycheck don't go up, you just be working to pay gas.

MARK WILSON: It's been two weeks and I have just been cutting grass.

LEMON: Mark Wilson, a bricklayer. mows lawns to make ends meet. He can't find a construction job, but he says he and his four children still have to eat.

WILSON: Thank you very much.

FOOD BANK WORKER: You are very welcome.

LEMON: America's working poor feeling the economic downturn, with food banks coming to the rescue. Don Lemon, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Promo

AZUZ: Food banks like the one you just saw depend on donations, not just food, but also time. Volunteering, running a clothing or canned goods drive; there are lots of ways for people to make a difference in the lives of others. Log on to CNN.com/impact to learn more about how you can help.

Coming to America

AZUZ: The seats in Nationals Park were packed to capacity yesterday, but not for a game. Pope Benedict XVI conducted Mass in the new stadium. Some people traveled hundreds or thousands of miles to attend the service, where as many as 46,000 worshippers greeted the religious leader. One of the pope's goals for this visit is to energize America's Catholic community, and during yesterday's Mass, he spoke about hope and unity. Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to address the General Assembly of the United Nations today.

Shoutout

GEORGE RAMSAY, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Today's Shoutout goes out to Mr. Ahlberg's civics classes at Lincoln North Star High School in Lincoln, Nebraska! Pope Benedict XVI serves as the chief of state of what country? If you think you know it, shout it out! Is it: A) Rome, B) Liechtenstein, C) Holy See or D) Italy? You've got three seconds -- GO! The pope is the leader of the Holy See, which is also called Vatican City! And now you know one of the answers on our weekly Newsquiz at CNNStudentNews.com!

Spoken Word

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: It's a thrilling moment for all of us, no matter what religion you are. To just be in his presence - knowing the history, knowing the tradition, knowing what this represents, it was just one of those moments. Certainly, I've always felt blessed as a reporter having this first row seat to history, and like you, I've met world leaders, but this was special. This was quite unique.

The Big One - 1906

AZUZ: Another groundbreaking moment in history now, but not one you would've wanted a front row seat for. We're talking tremors. An earthquake happens when the Earth's crust releases energy, causing the surface to vibrate. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that several million quakes strike around the world every year. A lot of those are pretty small. But if you're around when a big one hits, you'll never forget it. And today marks the anniversary of one of the most significant U.S. quakes of all time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AZUZ: You'd have to be well over 100 to remember when this happened. It was an event that shook sections of San Francisco to the ground: This massive movement along the San Andreas Fault to remind future generations of what the Earth can do. It happened on this day, April 18, in 1906, an earthquake estimated to have a magnitude somewhere over 7.7 that killed at least 700 people and rattled others up and down the west coast. The quake started a fire that laid ruin to the city's business district, leaving only the skeletons of buildings behind. It also left a few questions that linger today: When will another massive quake like the 1906 hit the Bay Area, or anywhere in California for that matter? We're better prepared now with advanced technology and earthquake building codes, but how well will all that hold up? The recent "swarm" of quake activity off the Northwest coast, a reminder of the dangers, a danger scientists say is likely to hit California in a big way within the next 30 years.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Promo

AZUZ: Earth Day is just around the corner! The annual event got going in 1970 to raise awareness about environmental problems. It's coming up on Tuesday, and we want to see how you guys are going green to celebrate. So, get those cameras rolling and send us some iReports on your environmental activities. We will need you to get your parents' permission first. Once you do, check out CNNStudentNews.com to find out how you can submit your videos.

ID Me

RAMSAY: See if you can I.D. me! I'm a Central European country that borders the Baltic and North Seas. After World War II, I was divided into East and West republics by a famous wall. The two sides reunited in 1990. In my native tongue, I'm called Deutschland. I'm Germany, the second most populated country in Europe.

Convict Creations

AZUZ: A new clothing store in the German capital of Berlin is getting a lot of attention because of the people who create what's hanging on the racks. You see, each item includes some personal information about the designer, like his name, where he lives, how long he's spending in prison. This fashion line is entirely formed by felons. Frederik Pleitgen clues us in about some creative couture that's being designed behind bars.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN REPORTER: We are somewhere near Leipzig in Eastern Germany. Inside this complex are some hardened criminals, and they make a pretty mean cooking apron. The inmates of the Halle Detention Center spend their days not trying to tunnel out, but cutting and sewing and stitching for a dynamic fashion label. "I like the concept," inmate Mario says. "We are the prisoners. Without us, this label wouldn't exist." The label on the inside is "Haeftling," which in German means "inmate."

STEPHAN BOHLE, HAEFTLING: I think it's a nice, nice gift, for example. It's a fun, fun product.

PLEITGEN: And it's just opened a store on the outside in Berlin. Much of the collection is designed and made by convicts.

BOHLE: We want to have basic, durable, timeless, beautiful clothes.

PLEITGEN: Don't expect pink and mauve. Like prison food, gray and brown dominate. But there are some colorful stories on the insides.

BOHLE: The graphic is called "wasting time," and it's from Jerry who is in Cornell Unit in the state of Texas.

PLEITGEN: Part of the proceeds go to organizations like Amnesty International that campaign for better conditions in jails. And some go directly to the prisoners. Inmates in Germany are paid about three dollars an hour. Haeftling has ambitions well beyond Berlin.

BOHLE: Next year we will try to come to the American market. We got some requests already.

PLEITGEN: But back at the detention center, at least one inmate doesn't want reminding of his record. "To be honest, I wouldn't wear it," he says. "I am a prisoner and I'm not proud of it." Even so, turning out aprons sure beats sewing mail bags. Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Halle, Germany.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Before We Go

AZUZ: Snot. Not a topic you want to talk about on a date or before lunch for that matter. Most of us don't want anyone to see when we blow our noses. This kid doesn't mind. Andrew Dahl wants to the world to see, or at least the Book of World Records. He used his snorting skills to blow up 213 balloons in just one hour. He did this last week and submitted a video of his facial feat to Guinness to see if he made the mark. Turns out this was actually Andrew's second attempt. Last time, his dad tied off the balloons, bouncing the 13-year-old from consideration.

Goodbye

AZUZ: That's going to blow out all our time for today. We do hope to see you next Monday, that is, if you forgive us. Thank you so much for being with us, I'm Carl Azuz. E-mail to a friend