New York City's Hungry Get Boost from GOP
Senator Dole and Congresswoman Emerson join to assemble food pantry bags and bring attention to hunger issues.
NEW YORK --- August 31, 2004 --- 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.
Contact information:
Anna Shenk
Food Bank For New York
City
347/276-4419
