Bill Text: PA SR178 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing September 2011 as "Hunger Action Month" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2011-09-20 - Introduced and adopted [SR178 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SR178-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1572
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 178 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY BRUBAKER, MENSCH, STACK, FARNESE, FONTANA, ERICKSON, GREENLEAF, BROWNE, TARTAGLIONE, ORIE, KASUNIC, BOSCOLA, BREWSTER, COSTA, BAKER, PIPPY, TOMLINSON, WARD, SCHWANK, YAW, PILEGGI, HUGHES, D. WHITE, VOGEL, ALLOWAY, SOLOBAY, RAFFERTY, KITCHEN, FERLO AND EARLL, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing September 2011 as "Hunger Action Month" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, September 2011 has been designated as "Hunger Action
Month" to provide an opportunity for communities in the United
States to unite to focus attention on the persistent problem of
domestic hunger; and
WHEREAS, For one in five people in this Commonwealth, hunger
is a reality; and
WHEREAS, Many United States households experience hunger, and
some people in these households frequently skip meals or eat too
little, sometimes going without food for a whole day; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, 14.7% of United States households were food
insecure, meaning their access to enough food is limited by a
lack of money and other resources; and
WHEREAS, This remains the highest recorded prevalence rate of
food insecurity since 1995, when the first national food
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security survey was conducted; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, 1,690,430 people in this Commonwealth were
food insecure; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, more than 21% of the children in this
Commonwealth experienced food insecurity; and
WHEREAS, Members of these households have lower-quality diets
or must resort to seeking emergency food because they cannot
always afford the food they need; and
WHEREAS, The costs of other essentials, such as home heating,
gasoline, housing and medical care, have increased
significantly; and
WHEREAS, For families caught in the squeeze between declining
wages and rising costs, the food budget becomes a frequent
pressure point; and
WHEREAS, Utilization of emergency food assistance becomes a
way for these families to keep food on the table while still
paying the bills; and
WHEREAS, Food banks, food rescue organizations, soup
kitchens, food pantries, faith-based organizations, businesses
and individuals are donating time, raising funds and giving food
to help their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, Individuals benefiting from the availability of
donated food range from infants and toddlers, school-age
children and adolescents to single mothers, single fathers,
two‑parent families, veterans and their families and seniors;
and
WHEREAS, Research shows that preschool and school-age
children who experience severe hunger have higher levels of
chronic illness, anxiety and depression and behavioral problems
than children with no hunger; therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize September 2011 as "Hunger
Action Month" in Pennsylvania.
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