[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 65 (Friday, May 10, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E778-E779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       COMBATING CHILDHOOD HUNGER

                                 ______


                           HON. TONY P. HALL

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 10, 1996

  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of 10 
organizations which are doing outstanding work to combat childhood 
hunger in our Nation. These organizations are the recipients of the 
Third Annual Victory Against Hunger Awards, presented by the 
Congressional Hunger Center and Victory Wholesale Grocers. Victory 
Wholesale Grocers is based in my district of Dayton, OH, and founded by 
my good friend, Milt Kantor.
  Each organization receiving this tribute was nominated by a Member of 
Congress, and chosen from a pool of nominations by a panel at the 
Congressional Hunger Center. The following winners were selected based 
on their community participation, effective delivery of service, 
geographic diversity, and innovative ideas.
  The Hunger Connection, of Rockford, IL, nominated by Representative 
Don Manzullo, is a food bank and food rescue program, provides food 
baskets to families in exchange for a modest fee and community service. 
It also has distributed more than 17 million dollars' worth of donated 
food, free of charge, since it was founded 11 years ago.
  The Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee, WI, nominated by Representative 
Tom Barrett, distributes food through its Emergency Food Pantry and 
facilitates long-term solutions to the problem of hunger. It feeds 
children in cooperation with the School Breakfast Program, and its Kids 
to Kids Program provides antihunger and nutrition education.
  The Free Market, of Los Angeles, CA, was nominated by Representative 
Maxine Waters. In this establishment families and individuals receive 
vouchers of up to $350 to shop for groceries free of charge. The market 
in the neighborhood of Watts was burned down in the recent riot and had 
to be rebuilt. I am pleased that the Free Market's founders, Reverend 
Bynum and his wife, and five others were on hand to receive this well-
deserved honor.
  Food-PATCH S.T.E.P.S., nominated by Representative Sue Kelly, is a 
program which uses forward-looking strategies to feed families in 
Millwood, NY. They seek to help parents, particularly single mothers, 
achieve self-

[[Page E779]]

sufficiency by teaching them practical life skills, and providing 
nutrition education, parenting sessions and donations of bags of 
groceries.
  American Culinary Federation Food Source Network, of Myrtle Beach, 
SC, was recommended by Representative Mark Sanford. A group of chefs 
concocted this food rescue program, which assists local nonprofit 
organizations and educates families regarding nutrition.
  Food Link, Inc. is a food rescue program located in Annapolis, MD. 
This group, nominated by Representative Wayne Gilchrest, delivers fresh 
produce to food distribution centers, cares for children with HIV and 
AIDS, and is in the process of establishing a nutrition education 
program for children.
  Hearts to Nourish Hope, Inc., of Riverdale, GA, was nominated by 
Representative John Lewis. It takes a unique approach to the problem of 
local hunger by enlisting juvenile delinquents to distribute food and 
increase community awareness about the problem of hunger. This service 
opportunity enriches the lives of the youths involved while 
simultaneously meeting needs in the Riverdale community.
  P.R.I.D.E. in Logan County, a 29-year old organization located in 
Logan, WV, was nominated by Representative Nick Joe Rahall. This group 
works to feed some of the Nation's poorest children in the Appalachian 
region. It combats hunger through the provision of meals, nutrition 
education, and transportation to feeding sites. I am pleased that Alvin 
Queen was here to personally receive this honor.
  Wayside Christian Mission's Family Shelter, operating since 1984 in 
Louisville, KY, was nominated by Representative Mike Ward. This shelter 
provides three meals a day to homeless families with children, and 
places them in a healthy, nurturing environment.
  Kid's Cafes, a project of the Food Bank of Coastal Georgia in 
Savannah, was nominated by both Representative Jack Kingston and 
Representative Cynthia McKinney. This innovative program uses rescued 
food and volunteers to provide over 650 meals weekly to hungry 
children. It serves as a model for after-school feeding programs and is 
being duplicated across the country. We are delighted that Natalie 
Alwan could be here to receive this award.
  The accomplishments of these organizations, and the determination of 
the people whose work has made these organizations successful, are 
inspiring. I hope that these awards serve to draw attention to the 
issue of hunger within our country.
  The congressional Hunger Center is a bipartisan, nonprofit 
organization whose mission is to lead, speak, and act on behalf of the 
hungry, the poor, and victims of humanitarian crises. Representative 
Bill Emerson and I serve as co-Chairs of this organization. On behalf 
of the board of directors of the Congressional Hunger Center I 
congratulate all the winners of this award, and encourage them to 
continue their work.

                          ____________________