[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 83 (Friday, May 30, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E881-E882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR DAILY BREAD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 30, 2014

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 30th Anniversary 
of Our Daily Bread. Our Daily Bread (ODB) is a non-profit organization 
whose primary focus is combatting hunger and poverty in Fairfax County, 
Virginia.
  The organization began in 1984 as a temporary homeless shelter that 
rotated among several churches in the area. As permanent organizations 
and programs developed to assist the homeless in Fairfax County, ODB 
recognized a need that was going unmet--serving those families who, 
while not homeless, were in financial crisis and in danger of ``falling 
through the cracks.'' ODB's leadership observed that many people work 
hard but live paycheck-to-paycheck. Any kind of unexpected expense, 
such as a car repair, rent hike, or medical cost can throw them into a 
financial crisis.

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  Today, the families ODB helps are likely to be members of the working 
poor, the elderly, disabled, and those who unexpectedly found 
themselves in crisis due to job loss, debt, or health issues.
  More than half of those served are children. ODB's programs offer the 
temporary assistance families need to recover from a crisis, stay in 
their homes, and maintain their self-sufficiency. ODB strives to 
prevent homelessness with a three-tiered approach; providing food 
assistance, financial assistance, and, ultimately, financial literacy 
training. ODB also provides back-to-school supplies for low-income 
school children and holiday assistance. These programs meet the short-
term food and financial needs that often accompany job loss and ill 
health, while also educating clients about ways to prepare for such 
financial crises in the future and return to self-sufficiency.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Our Daily 
Bread for 30 years of service to and in thanking the staff, volunteers, 
community partners, financial supporters and sponsors for contributing 
their time, energy, and resources to this worthwhile organization.

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