[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE MEMBERS OF STILLWATER TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2014

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor members of 
Stillwater Trinity Lutheran Church and acknowledge their recent efforts 
to feed more than half a million people in a community food drive 
called ``Meals from the Heart.'' This ambitious initiative will provide 
nutritious meals to be distributed through a variety of organizations 
from the Saint Croix Valley all the way to Tanzania.
  ``Meals from the Heart'' is a community-led, full-scale mission to 
address hunger--both here at home and around the world. Beginning in 
2008, Trinity Lutheran Church, located in Stillwater, Minnesota, has 
partnered with churches, schools, nonprofits, and local businesses, 
including Andersen Windows, to provide meals for those in need. Working 
together, their benevolent efforts have produced impressive results. 
During the past five years, 10,500 volunteers have packed more than 3 
million meals that have been delivered to diverse locations, ranging 
from a church in Saint Paul to an orphanage in Haiti.
  Access to affordable, nutritious food is fundamental to the health 
and economic success of communities. Unfortunately, for far too many, 
access to nutritious food is not dependable. Food insecurity is rising 
at an alarming rate, causing regional conflicts and forcing 1 billion 
people worldwide to struggle with chronic hunger and disease. In 
America, economic strain from the Great Recession continues to place 
significant financial hardships on families looking to put food on the 
table.
  Just last month, our nation celebrated the 50th Anniversary of 
President Johnson's ``War on Poverty.'' While President Johnson's call 
to action has resulted in profound change for a generation of 
Americans, our nation still must confront the stark reality that 
poverty, hunger, and income inequality persist today. To be successful 
in the fight against hunger, it will take collective action between 
public, private, and community forces--just as we have seen with the 
``Meals from the Heart'' program.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride I submit this statement for the 
Congressional Record, recognizing the benevolent actions of local 
volunteers and businesses who have collaborated to make a difference in 
combating hunger across the globe and in our own neighborhoods in the 
United States.

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