[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 164 (Tuesday, September 22, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H4650-H4651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     VALUABLE ROLE FOOD BANKS PLAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month we 
celebrated National Food Bank Day. Each year on the first Friday in 
September, we have an opportunity to recognize the valuable role that 
food banks play in our communities and offer thanks to the tireless 
volunteers who help feed hunger-challenged families nationwide.
  No matter the time of the year, food banks and food pantries support 
our neighbors in need with access to food, and throughout the pandemic, 
we have seen just how critical this access can be.
  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.''
  Healthy families need access to quality, nutritious food. As a former 
chairman of the Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, 
Oversight, and Department Operations, this is an issue that I feel very 
passionately about.
  I am pleased to see the success of USDA's Farmers to Families Food 
Box program and have heard a lot of positive feedback from volunteers 
and food bank staff in my district.
  Through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, the USDA 
has delivered more than 90 million boxes of fresh, delicious, 
nutritious food to families in need. Fresh fruits and vegetables, milk 
and dairy products, meat and more have been distributed by food banks, 
community centers, and churches nationwide.
  I would be remiss if I didn't mention how helpful this has been for 
our farmers and ranchers as well. Earlier in the pandemic, we heard too 
many stories of dairy farmers dumping their milk and crops going to 
waste. The Farmers to Families Food Box program allows farmers to sell 
their products and crops to be used in the boxes which has reduced 
waste.
  John, from the Christian Food Bank of Elk County in my district, 
called the boxes a ``Godsend,'' noting that recipients were deeply 
appreciative and amazed by the quality and variety of the food.
  Mel Curtis, director of the Centre County YMCA, said the boxes have 
been extremely helpful for families because the boxes provide goods 
that individuals and families with limited income may have to forego at 
the grocery store.
  I would like to give a special shout-out to Mel Curtis and all of the 
other hardworking people at the Centre County YMCA. I have been 
particularly impressed with their high energy, can-

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do spirit, and constant commitment to serving families in the Centre 
region. Mel and his team are always innovating and thinking of new ways 
to reach out to the community.
  I was pleased to join the Centre County YMCA this summer for a 
Travelin' Table event to collect donations of food and to pack grab-
and-go lunches for local students. Travelin' Table is a mobile feeding 
bus. Typically, the bus makes six to eight stops a day delivering food, 
but operations have been kicked into high gear during the pandemic 
thanks to the YMCA team.
  Mr. Speaker, that Travelin' Table, that mobile feeding bus, was made 
possible largely through a grant from USDA with rural economic 
development, and just a tremendous impact that that has had at a 
critical time that all of our families across this Nation are facing.
  This kind of attitude and commitment to service is a beacon of hope 
during these times, Mr. Speaker.
  I thank the Centre County YMCA, the Christian Food Bank of Elk 
County, and all of our other food bank staff and volunteers who are 
helping families in their communities.
  A special shout-out also to Patti Long, for her volunteer efforts in 
my own home community of Howard.

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