[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 146 (Tuesday, November 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CHRISTINA TORRICELLI AND THE FOOD DEPOT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 2000

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
an outstanding individual and a friend, Christina Torricelli. I would 
like to recognize the dedication and hard work rendered by Ms. 
Torricelli and her staff at the Food Depot in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 
Their intense and tireless efforts and commitment to alleviate hunger 
in New Mexico have resulted in feeding over 30,000 individuals a year 
in the northern part of my State. Over half of these individuals are 
under the age of 18.
  In 1993, a study conducted by Tufts University estimated that New 
Mexico was second only to Mississippi in the percent of citizens that 
go hungry on a regular basis. This study initiated conversations 
between existing hunger relief organizations about accessing more food 
donations to address the increasing need for emergency food. As a 
result, The Food Depot was created. Today, the organization has 
established community partnerships with over fifty-five non-profit 
programs with services available, but not limited to homeless shelters, 
soup kitchens, low income families, the elderly, the physically/
mentally challenged, disadvantaged children, those recovering from 
violence, and the homebound due to illness.
  I must pay the Food Depot an overdue compliment on their actions 
during the devastating Cerro Grande fire, which occurred earlier this 
year in my district. This fire left hundreds homeless, but because of 
the labor of the Food Depot, they did not go hungry. The third day of 
the fire Ms. Torricelli and other staff members were up at 3 a.m., 
exhausted and trying to unload trucks of food and water donations. She 
asked a television station to broadcast an appeal for help. Within 15 
minutes she had had an additional 20 volunteers.
  The Food Depot has ensured that I am fully informed on issues related 
to ending hunger. Ms. Torricelli is especially fond of my colleague, 
Representative Tony Hall, who has done so much for the issues of ending 
poverty and hunger.
  Mr. Speaker, Christina Torricelli is dedicated to improving life and 
ending hunger for New Mexico. I have tremendous respect for her. 
Although many view Christina's deeds as transcendent of human kindness, 
to her it is just a way of life.

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