[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 135 (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF SECOND HARVEST FOODBANK OF SOUTHERN 
                               WISCONSIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2011

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 25th 
anniversary of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and to 
honor all those who worked to make this exceptional food bank 
successful over the last quarter century.
  In the summer of 1984, the dream of a food bank in Dane County became 
a reality when the Southern Wisconsin Regional Foodbank, Inc., 
eventually renamed Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, was 
created. It wasn't until 1986 that the first warehouse was established 
in Madison, but by the end of the year nearly three million pounds of 
food had been donated to 85 partner organizations. Over the next two 
decades, the food bank saw an explosion of increased services and 
growth, including countless new partnerships and programs, awards, and 
food distribution topping 6.8 million pounds by 2009.
  Today, Second Harvest works hard to address the issue of hunger in 
our community. They handle 20,000 pounds of food per day, distributing 
over 8 million pounds through 350 partner agencies in sixteen Wisconsin 
counties annually. Second Harvest also operates services like the Kids 
Cafe and the BackPack programs, which provide food, nourishment, and 
health education to children. These programs are essential because 
statistics show that over 43% of those who do not have access to 
adequate amounts and types of healthy foods are children. Furthermore, 
the food bank operates thirty Mobile Pantry Program sites and has a 
long-standing partnership with the local NBC affiliate for their annual 
holiday food drive, providing an additional 1.5 million meals for 
families facing hunger.
  Over the years, numerous people helped to make Second Harvest 
Foodbank an ongoing success. Today, a dedicated board of directors and 
admirable staff work to assist over 141,000 people in southwestern 
Wisconsin who continue to lack proper nutrition. It is without a doubt, 
however, that the impact that Second Harvest makes on our community 
would not be possible without the ongoing generosity of volunteers. 
These inspirational and essential workers average over 5,000 hours of 
monthly service, equaling the work of 30 full-time employees. Further, 
each hour of donated time equals 63 meals, and with over 62,000 hours 
donated volunteers have helped share more that 3.9 million meals.
  It is hard to overstate the positive impact that Second Harvest has 
had and will continue to have on our community. For the fifth year in a 
row, Charity Navigator rated Second Harvest with four stars, 
highlighting its commitment to returning 94 cents of every dollar 
donated back to support the charity. Last year, with the help of so 
many donations, the food bank shared over 8.1 million pounds of food 
and each of their five different programs saw great success and growth.
  In the words of Second Harvest's President and CEO, Dan Stein, ``It 
is possible to end hunger.'' From Juneau to Green County, Crawford to 
Jefferson County and everywhere in between, Second Harvest has been a 
beacon of hope for our community and a model for charitable 
organizations. I proudly join those across Southern Wisconsin, the 
entire state, and the nation in celebrating the 25th anniversary of 
Second Harvest Foodbank and in thanking the employees, volunteers, and 
donors for their exemplary service to our community.

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