[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 39 (Wednesday, April 13, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 ``ZENECA FOR HEALTHIER KIDS'' PROJECT

  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, later this year, the Senate will consider 
the reauthorization of a number of child nutrition programs. The goal 
of our legislative efforts will be, as always, to ensure the health and 
well-being of America's children, especially those who live in or at 
the edge of poverty.
  We are conscious that Government has substantial obligations and real 
opportunities to help families in need. But we are also painfully 
aware, Mr. President, that Government cannot do the job alone. If we 
are to meet the needs of America's children, the private sector--
including business, church and community groups, and citizen 
volunteers--must play a role.
  I am proud today to be able to share with my colleagues the story of 
a new project launched by a private company and its employees, in order 
to make a difference in the lives of economically disadvantaged 
children and families in my State. The project is called ``Zeneca for 
Healthier Kids,'' and represents a partnership of Zeneca, Inc., one of 
the world's leading bioscience companies, and the Food Bank of 
Delaware, which has been active for more than 16 years in the fight 
against hunger and malnutrition.
  The people at Zeneca made a deliberate decision to initiate a 
community project consistent with their corporate mission, which 
includes a core business in health and agricultural products. Fighting 
hunger and promoting better nutrition seemed a natural fit, and 
certainly the need was well documented; in our State of just 700,000 
people total, some 12,000 children regularly go hungry and another 
12,000 are at constant risk, living as they do at the perilous edge of 
poverty.
  Once the partnership with the Food Bank of Delaware was formed, 
careful planning went into the design of a 3-year pilot program to 
provide food to needy families, to increase public education about 
nutritional needs and available assistance, and to generate a volunteer 
base among Zeneca employees to sustain the program over the long haul.
  To provide food to those in need, Zeneca will fund the purchase of 
food packages, of high-protein, health meals, to be distributed monthly 
by company volunteers to the 250 Delaware families enrolled in the WIC 
Program. In addition, Zeneca volunteers will organize food drives at 
work sites and offer support services, such as computer programming and 
accounting, necessary to run the program.
  To promote public awareness of nutritional needs and available 
assistance, like the WIC Program, Zeneca has sponsored the production 
of an informational video, which will be available at State service 
centers, schools, and Food Bank member organizations. Zeneca will also 
fund and make available a pocket guide to nutritional programs and 
public-service announcements to get the message about better nutrition 
to the widest possible audience.
  Mr. President, we all know that early nutrition has a tremendous 
effect on children, and that inadequate nutrition impairs a child's 
development and ability to success or even to try to succeed. We know 
that no one program will solve the problem of hunger among our youngest 
and most vulnerable citizens, but we also know that if we all do our 
parts, we can make a difference.
  The people of Zeneca, in partnership with the Food Bank of Delaware, 
are trying to do their part, and working to make a difference for their 
less fortunate neighbors. Their efforts represent not only a much 
needed service but also a very admirable example, and we in Delaware 
are proud of them.

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