Senator Dole and Congresswoman Emerson join to Assemble Food Pantry Bags and
Bring Attention to Hunger Issues
NEW YORK, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Taking a break from their Republican
National Convention activities, U.S. House and Senate anti-hunger activists
will visit the Father's Heart Ministries Food Pantry, one of 50,000 agencies
receiving food from America's Second Harvest. They will assemble food items
for distribution to families and individuals who are served by the Food Bank
For New York City. They are also gathering with the additional objective of
building greater awareness about hunger issues facing communities across the
U.S. America's Second Harvest hosted a similar event at the Greater Boston
Food Bank last month during the Democratic National Convention.
Congressional hosts including Senator Elizabeth Dole (NC) and
Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (Mo-8), will spend Tuesday afternoon meeting with
Food Bank and Pantry staff and volunteers while filling dozens of bags with
food for families throughout New York City.
"Hunger is the silent enemy lurking within too many American homes and a
tragedy I have seen firsthand far too many times throughout my life in public
service," said Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC). "The battle to end hunger in
our country is a campaign that cannot be won in months, or even a few years --
but it is a victory within reach. What we need is to help our fellow
Americans understand the terrible reality of hunger ... and how to put a stop
to it."
"Americans are a generous people, and as the world's leading agricultural
producer our mission must be to feed the millions of less fortunate, starving,
and malnourished people in the world," said Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson.
"With the bounty of food we produce at home, there is no reason for a young
student to be hungry at school. Our food banks are the front lines in the war
on hunger, and organizations like America's Second Harvest provide vital
supply lines to those who suffer from hunger in our own communities."
Also joining the Congressional delegation were Robert Forney, President
and CEO of America's Second Harvest, a national network of more than 200
regional food banks and food-rescue programs, and Dr. Lucy Cabrera, Ph.D.,
President and CEO of the Food Bank For New York City.
"While it's gratifying to see legislators from both parties take a break
from their schedules to help us serve the people in two great American cities,
we all agree that we need a national commitment from our elected officials,
both Republican and Democratic, to truly end hunger in America. We're calling
on our nation's leaders to review and support our recently released 'Blueprint
to End Hunger' which offers a realistic plan for achieving that goal," said
Forney.
"Volunteers are critical to the ability of emergency food providers to
serve those in need and their help this afternoon is greatly appreciated,"
added Dr. Cabrera.
Food Bank For New York City, which helps provide over 240,000 meals served
each day by food pantries and soup kitchens across the five boroughs, is a
part of America's Second Harvest, a national network of more than 200 regional
food banks and food-rescue programs, serving all 50 states, DC and Puerto
Rico. As the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization, America's
Second Harvest's network distributes 1.4 billion pounds of donated food and
grocery products annually, supporting approximately 50,000 local charitable
agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, women's shelters, Kids
Cafes, Community Kitchens. Food Bank For New York City and America's Second
Harvest are 501(c)(3) organizations.
SOURCE America's Second Harvest; Food Bank For New York City
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Related links:
http://www.secondharvest.org
CONTACT:
Anna Shenk of Food Bank For New York City,
+1-347-276-4419
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