[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 134 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1315-E1316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF BETTY HARDY

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2015

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, residents in Montgomery County are 
blessed to have non-profit organizations that provide a true safety net 
for struggling families and individuals.
  One of those organizations is the Montgomery County Food Bank which 
has been helping families since 1985.
  This food bank is an integral part of our community today because a 
group of individuals led by Betty Hardy saw a need and found a way to 
fill that need by partnering with other agencies.
  Betty Hardy has put others first as long as any of us have known her. 
She is a blessing to our community. She went from helping people on the 
crisis hotline to ensuring families in need had a meal on the table.
  Betty's passion to put others first is what led her to bring together 
several like-minded friends each week to organize and create food 
pantries, food drives and deliveries.
  Out of her commitment--and her garage, trunk and backseat--grew the 
program we know as the Montgomery County Food Bank.
  From the food bank's initial one-room office space this program has 
grown to service countless families.
  The Food Bank went from serving nearly 18,000 meals in the first year 
to 400,000 annual meals just a short decade later.
  In 2007, the food bank opened its first official warehouse with the 
help of a community development grant. Today, the food bank operates 
out of a 60,000 square foot facility that distributes several million 
pounds of food every year. They coordinate with a network of 
approximately 50 food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers and other 
agencies to provide fresh produce, meat and non-perishables to more 
than 32,000 people each month.
  Betty's dream of helping Montgomery County residents weather a crisis 
has evolved into the sixth largest food bank in Texas.
  Betty Hardy is proof that one person's determination, dedication and 
willingness to roll up her sleeves can have a far reaching impact on 
individuals and families who need to know there is hope and support in 
their community.

[[Page E1316]]

  Today, the Montgomery County Food Bank will hold its inaugural Food 
for Life Luncheon celebrating its past, present and future. That 
celebration begins with the accomplishments of Betty Hardy and her 
efforts to fight hunger in our community.

                          ____________________