[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 212 (Tuesday, December 15, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7498-S7499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                 RECOGNIZING THE GREAT PLAINS FOOD BANK

 Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, this has been a challenging year 
for millions of Americans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many 
organizations have stepped up to assist with delivering food, and I 
want to recognize one North Dakota organization that continues to 
expand its services to partner with other local organizations reaching 
out to those in need.
  The Great Plains Food Bank has served communities in North Dakota 
since 1983, regularly dispatching trucks to all 53 counties across the 
State. With USDA estimates that 27 percent of all food produced in the 
United States never makes it to the dinner table, the Great Plains Food 
Bank's mission is to get this surplus food from those who have it to 
those who need it. It has joined forces with hundreds of food industry 
partners to recover their surplus shelf-stable and perishable food 
products. These include local, regional and national growers, 
processors, manufacturers, retailers, Federal and State government food 
programs, food drives, and Feeding America, the Nation's food bank 
network.
  The Great Plains Food Bank took a significant step forward last month 
when it opened a second distribution center, this one in Bismarck, to 
better facilitate the delivery of food across western and central North 
Dakota, serving 100 soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters. This 
new warehouse now has room for freezers and refrigerators, office space 
and facilities for volunteers.

[[Page S7499]]

  Opening the Bismarck distribution center is one of the goals of the 
food bank's ``Feed the Future'' campaign, which has been raising funds 
since 2015 and is also hoping to expand the Fargo headquarters and 
increase the total of meals it serves next year. This very timely 
expansion of food services across the State comes when more and more 
people are depending on these deliveries to feed themselves and their 
families.
  These services are possible because of a committed network of staff, 
volunteers, and corporate sponsors and partners, who provide the funds 
and workforce to continue the distribution every week throughout the 
year.
  In this holiday season during the end of a very difficult year, I 
congratulate the Great Plains Food Bank on its vision and ongoing 
success in delivering food across the State. On behalf of all North 
Dakotans, I thank all who work for and with the Great Plains Food Bank 
for their commitment to this cause. I wish them continued success and 
community support for years to come.

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