[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 159 (Friday, October 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNITION OF THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF HARVESTERS

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 4, 2019

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today to celebrate the 
Fortieth Anniversary of Harvesters and recognize its countless 
contributions to Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, the Kansas 
City region, and beyond. As part of a national network of hunger relief 
organizations, Harvesters is a cornerstone of many communities in the 
5th District, and I am truly honored to have such an impactful, 
admirable organization based in the district I represent.
  Harvesters began in Kansas City in 1979 when faith organizations, 
social service agencies, and businesses partnered to tackle the 
increasing issue of hunger in the greater Kansas City area. Harvesters 
is a food bank that acts as a liaison between more than 760 agencies in 
Missouri and Kansas to coordinate with emergency food pantries, 
homeless shelters, children's homes, schools, and others to end food 
insecurity. During its first year of operation, Harvesters administered 
155,000 pounds of food within five counties. The nonprofit has only 
increased in size and reach in the years since.
  In 2018, Harvesters distributed 52,572,724 pounds of food throughout 
twenty-six counties in Missouri and Kansas. As operations expanded and 
flourished, the United States Department of Agriculture extended a 
partnership to Harvesters, offering the organization the opportunity to 
distribute federal commodities to qualifying agencies. In 2011, 
Harvesters was nationally recognized as the Food Bank of the Year by 
Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger relief organization in the 
United States.
  Harvesters operates community-wide programs for children, families, 
and seniors out of its Topeka and Kansas City facilities. The BackSnack 
program works with schools to provide over 8,000 nutritious snacks and 
meals each week to children in the greater Kansas City area. The 
nonprofit has implemented mobile food pantries throughout Missouri's 
Fifth Congressional District for families that may not otherwise have 
access to a grocery store. Harvesters also works with the federal 
government on the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which delivers 
boxes of nutritious food to seniors each month. Harvesters is inclusive 
of all, tailoring each of its programs to the diverse community it 
serves.
  Harvesters set itself apart as an advocate and champion of human 
dignity in our communities. Throughout its twenty-six county service 
area, one in eight people are food insecure. The organization 
recognizes that many individuals and families need food assistance at 
times, and they strive to provide support with benevolence and 
compassion. Harvesters staff and volunteers are truly an inspiration to 
us all.
  Madam Speaker, please join with me in celebrating Harvesters' 
Fortieth Anniversary. Through magnanimous leadership and dedicated 
service, Harvesters has touched the lives of thousands of residents in 
Missouri's Fifth Congressional District and beyond. We stand today to 
celebrate Harvesters' indelible mark on our country and thank them for 
their enduring work to end hunger in our communities.

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