[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 129 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              A TRIBUTE TO FOODLINK FOR TULARE COUNTY, INC

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                         HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 1998

  Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend 
Foodlink for Tulare County which is proudly celebrating its 20th 
anniversary on September 24, 1998.
  Foodlink, which was originally called Food Resources, was founded in 
the mid-1970's by a dedicated group of individuals who were very 
concerned about the growing hunger problem in the Tulare County, and 
equally concerned about food going to waste in this rich agricultural 
area. At the time, hunger in Tulare County was worse than the national 
average. Food Resources (Foodlink) worked with area farmers who were 
more than willing to donate agricultural surplus, culled vegetables, 
day-old bread, unlabeled canned goods, and other usable items to 
Foodlink to be distributed among the different foodbanks in Tulare 
County.
  After 20 years of growth, Foodlink is currently providing 5 million 
pounds of food to 82,000 hungry people through a network of nonprofit 
emergency pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth programs.
  Foodlink would not exist without the many volunteers and donors who 
have dedicated their time and resources. On September 24, 1998 in 
Visalia, California Foodlink, will present awards to Kraft Foods as 
outstanding Food Donor and St. Vincent de Paul in Porterville as 
outstanding Food Agency. With such partners as these, Foodlink has been 
able to provide much needed assistance to many families in Tulare 
County.
  Unfortunately, the problem of hunger still exists in Tulare County. 
But, with contained support of the local community food donations from 
the USDA and others, Foodlink will continue their mission of ending 
hunger. I believe our community is lucky to have an organization like 
Foodlink to help those in need.
  Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, please join me in wishing Foodlink a 
Happy Anniversary and a special thank you for all their hard work to 
end hunger in Tulare County.




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