[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1215
  FOOD BANKS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SUPPORTING FAMILIES WHO NEED A 
                              HELPING HAND

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this weekend I had the 
pleasure of joining volunteers of my district at the Port Matilda 
Baptist Church for the monthly CommonFood distribution event.
  CommonFood is an organization that works to provide underserved and 
underemployed elderly, single-parent families, and low-income families 
in western Centre County with nutritious food.
  CommonFood feeds approximately 140 to 150 families in the area. Each 
month these families receive a box of food valued at approximately $150 
filled with meat, produce, and nonperishables.
  Organizations like CommonFood and our Nation's food banks play an 
important role in supporting families who may need a helping hand. 
Through the USDA's Emergency Food Assistance Program, States are 
provided with food that is then distributed to local food banks and 
soup kitchens. These organizations then distribute quality ingredients 
to low-income households who are, in turn, able to provide their 
families with nutritious meals.
  Organizations that provide emergency food assistance play an 
important role in the lives of low-income families, and they deserve 
our support. I am proud to support the farm bill that provides that 
type of support.

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