Bill Text: NJ SJR109 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates November of each year as "Food Pantry Donation Month" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-21 - Substituted by AJR60 [SJR109 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-SJR109-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
Senator SANDRA B. CUNNINGHAM
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Designates November of each year as "Food Pantry Donation Month" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution permanently designating November as "Food Pantry Donation Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Many New Jersey residents are in a continuous struggle to provide food for themselves and their families; this struggle, also known as food insecurity, can result in hunger, malnutrition and, in some cases, starvation; and
Whereas, Since the overall health of a person is dependent upon a proper diet, hunger and malnutrition can lead to physical and cognitive impairments in children and create a host of health-related problems in adults; and
Whereas, The establishment of a network of community-based food banks and food pantries can reduce the prevalence of food insecurity and offset the adverse effects of hunger and malnourishment; and
Whereas, Approximately 13 percent of New Jersey citizens do not have a continuous, reliable, and self-sustaining pathway to a food bank or food pantry; and
Whereas, Charitable food organizations, including food banks and food pantries, have responded to food insecurity in New Jersey by accepting food donations and providing hot meals, groceries, and information on government assistance programs to at-risk adults and families; and
Whereas, A greater public awareness of food insecurity and the impact food insecurity has on the residents of New Jersey is essential to encourage donations to local food banks and pantries in this State; and
Whereas, The permanent establishment of "Food Pantry Donation Month" will serve to educate the citizens of New Jersey about the importance of food banks and food pantries in reducing food insecurity and engage communities throughout New Jersey in supporting local charitable food organizations in their efforts to establish a safety net for those who are unable to provide for their own nutritional needs or those of their families; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. November of each year is designated as "Food Pantry Donation Month" in New Jersey in order to educate the citizens of New Jersey about the importance of food banks and food pantries in reducing food insecurity and engage communities throughout New Jersey in supporting local charitable food organizations in their efforts to establish a safety net for those who are unable to provide for their own nutritional needs or those of their families.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing November as "Food Pantry Donation Month" in New Jersey and calling upon public officials, the citizens of the State, and other interested groups to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs, including donating to local food banks and food pantries to help provide for those in need.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution permanently designates November as "Food Pantry Donation Month" in New Jersey to educate the citizens of New Jersey about the importance of food banks and food pantries in reducing food insecurity and engage communities throughout New Jersey in supporting local charitable food organizations in their efforts to establish a safety net for those who are unable to provide for their own nutritional needs or those of their families.
Under the joint resolution, the Governor is requested to issue an annual proclamation recognizing November as "Food Pantry Donation Month" in New Jersey and to call upon public officials, citizens of the State, and other interested groups to observe the month by donating to local food banks and food pantries to help provide for those in need.
