[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 24, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1764-S1765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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             40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOOD BANK OF DELAWARE

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of 
Delaware's congressional delegation in honor of the Food Bank of 
Delaware, which has provided healthy, nutritious food and education to 
Delaware families for 40 years.
  The Food Bank of Delaware began its work in 1981 out of a modest 
basement in the Northeast State Services Center in Wilmington. Today, 
it is the largest hunger relief organization in the State. In the last 
fiscal year alone, the Food Bank of Delaware distributed more than 15 
million pounds of food, served more than 49,000 households through its 
mobile pantry program, distributed 143,000 backpacks stocked with food 
to at-risk youth, provided nearly 28,000 supplemental food boxes to 
seniors, and inspired volunteers to give 49,000 hours of their time to 
help at its 2 warehouses and food distribution events.

[[Page S1765]]

But the Food Bank's work didn't stop there--it continues to address 
root causes of hunger by providing education and resources to those 
experiencing food insecurity so they can lift themselves out of poverty 
and advocate for others. Its culinary program has successfully 
graduated more than 700 students since the program began in 2002, and 
its graduates can be found in some of the finest restaurants around the 
country.
  I particularly want to highlight the work the Food Bank of Delaware 
and its 54 full- and part-time employees have done and continue to do 
since March 16, 2020, when they were called to respond to the 
overwhelming need brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time 
they facilitated 33 mass drive through food distribution events 
throughout Delaware serving 42,847 households, served 34,706 households 
through the Healthy Pantry Centers at its Newark and Milford locations, 
distributed 153,431 Farmers to Families Food Boxes, and provided 
353,009 meals and snacks to homeless Delawareans housed throughout the 
State to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
  On behalf of both, U.S. Senator Chris Coons and U.S. Representative 
Lisa Blunt Rochester, I rise today to honor the Food Bank of Delaware, 
its employees, and volunteers for 40 years of continued dedication to 
the health and nourishment of the citizens of Delaware. We know your 
impact on the lives of so many has been great, and your goal of ending 
hunger is one we will continue to work together on until we can reach 
the goal of eradicating food insecurity for all in Delaware.

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