[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 18, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E908-E909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE ARLINGTON FOOD 
                           ASSISTANCE CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2013

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 25th 
anniversary of the founding of the Arlington Food Assistance Center 
(AFAC). Arlington County is the third wealthiest county in the United 
States; amidst this wealth, many residents and their families do not 
have the resources to adequately provide nutrition for either 
themselves or their families. This group includes many different groups 
in our society--the disabled, elderly, unemployed, under-employed, and 
homeless students in Arlington public schools.
  Hunger is the physical sensation that results from not having enough 
food to eat. However, when talking about ``hunger in America,'' what is 
often meant is more accurately called ``food insecurity.'' Food 
insecurity is defined as a lack of access to enough food to fully meet 
basic needs due to lack of financial resources. A recent survey of 
Arlington County residents found that more than 4 in 10 individuals 
making $60,000 or less are having these struggles. Nearly 15,000 people 
in Arlington County currently suffer from food insecurity.
  In early 1988, a small group of concerned citizens in Arlington 
County gathered together their resources to found an organization whose 
sole purpose was to alleviate hunger among their neighbors in need. 
This group was soon joined by six congregations, all of whom operated 
food pantries serving small groups of families. Since then, AFAC has 
grown into the largest food bank serving Arlington County and is the 
only organization in the County solely dedicated to alleviating hunger.
  At the time of its founding, AFAC was serving approximately 200 
families. AFAC has grown considerably since then. They currently 
distribute food to over 1,600 families and almost 4,500 individuals 
through 16 locations spread across the County. Over 35 percent of their 
clients are children. The elderly, who often have to choose between 
food or medicine, make up 30 percent of their clientele.

[[Page E909]]

Annually, this organization seeks to lower the incidence of hunger in 
our community by distributing over three million pounds of fresh 
vegetables and fruit, meat, eggs, milk, bread, and other groceries.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this opportunity to honor the 
Arlington Food Assistance Center as it marks 25 years of dedicated 
service to the residents of Arlington County.

                          ____________________