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For Immediate Release
February 9, 2009
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Hunger
Caucus Meeting Examines PA Food Insecurity Issues
HARRISBURG – The first meeting of the legislative Hunger Caucus highlighted
the scope of food insecurity issues in Pennsylvania, according to Sen. Mike
Brubaker (R-36).
"The number one priority of this group is to educate members of the General
Assembly on hunger issues facing our communities," Brubaker said. "Once we
educate our colleagues about the food insecurity issues threatening so many of
the families we represent, I strongly believe that inaction will not be an
option."
Department of Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff testified that more than 1.2
million Pennsylvanians, or nearly 1 in 10 state residents, were at risk for food
insecurity. Wolff said that he believed state food banks offered sufficient
infrastructure to provide food to needy Pennsylvanians, but Central Pennsylvania
Food Bank Executive Director Kendall Hanna testified that additional funding would be
needed to address the growing number of Pennsylvanians who rely on food banks.
Wolff and Hanna urged legislators to support an increase in funding for the
State Food Purchase Program, and they also urged the General Assembly to pass a
resolution urging Congress to include additional funding for the federal
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other programs to combat hunger in
the federal economic stimulus package.
Brubaker proposed to hold two meetings of the Hunger Caucus per year to
examine food insecurity issues and receive additional information on the needs
and progress of programs to address hunger. He also announced that the Hunger
Caucus website would be launched on Tuesday to provide information on resources
available to help Pennsylvanians in need.
Brubaker co-chairs the Hunger Caucus with Rep. John Myers (D-201). Other
Hunger Caucus members in attendance included Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), Sen. John
Eichelberger (R-30), Sen. Daylin Leach (D-17), Rep. Dom Costa (D-21), Rep.
Babette Josephs (D-182), Rep. Michael O'Brien (D-175) and Rep. John Siptroth
(D-189).
CONTACT:
Kristin Crawford
(717)787-4420
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