[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 11, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H10031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                   FOOD PANTRIES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

  (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, food banks and food 
pantries play a valuable role in our communities all year long, but 
around the holiday season their impact on families in need is 
magnified.
  In 2018, more than 37 million Americans were considered food 
insecure, including 11 million children. The Department of Agriculture 
defines food insecurity as ``a lack of consistent access to enough food 
for an active, healthy life.''
  Access to quality food and nutrition is necessary for healthy 
families, and as the former chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on 
Nutrition, this is an issue that I feel very passionately about.
  We can all help our neighbors in need by contributing to our local 
food banks and food pantries by making a donation or volunteering our 
time. Just a small contribution or a few hours out of our day can make 
a big difference in our communities.
  During this holiday season, it is especially important that we 
support families who have fallen on hard times.

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