[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 191 (Friday, November 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1112-E1113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FOOD BANKS, FOOD PANTRIES, 
    AND OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT FIGHT TO END FOOD 
                               INSECURITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 17, 2023

  Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution to 
declare the House of Representative's support and gratitude for the 
work done by food banks, food pantries, and other community-based 
organizations across the United States to end food insecurity and 
provide other essential services.
  As many of us come together with our friends and family this holiday 
season to give thanks and enjoy good conversation--and even better 
food--we recognize how blessed we truly are. But that is not true for 
everyone in America, as food insecurity presents a significant and 
present problem in many of our communities.
  Even with the many federal, state, and local programs centered around 
this problem, 44 million people, including over 13 million children, 
lived in food-insecure households in the United States in 2022. This 
represents nearly 13 percent of all households, many with children.
  In 2021, 1 in every 6 military and veteran families experienced food 
insecurity--the same people that have sacrificed to protect us and 
secure our freedoms. At the same time, 1 in 14 seniors over the age of 
60 face food insecurity in America. These are the tragedies that food 
banks work to rectify.

[[Page E1113]]

  Moreover, food banks are essential to the prosperity of our Nation. 
Food insecurity costs the United States economy at least $160 billion 
each year in additional health costs and poor health outcomes. Children 
who face hunger are more likely to repeat a grade in elementary school, 
as well as experience developmental impairments, and they are more 
likely to face social and behavioral problems.
  The employees and volunteers at the hundreds of food banks and over 
60,000 community partners, including pantries and meals programs, 
across America tirelessly and collectively work to end food insecurity. 
In 2022, they served over five billion meals to the 49 million people 
who turned to them for assistance.
  Every year during the holidays, my family and I volunteer at a local 
food bank, the Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC), 
packing and handing out nutritious food boxes and other supplies to 
families and individuals in need. We are proud and humbled to join the 
countless employees and volunteers spending their time helping others.
  Food banks, food pantries, and other community-based organizations 
provide essential food assistance to so many across the country. They 
collect, store, and distribute items, as well as deliver to those in 
need, including to senior centers and schools during the weekdays, 
weekends, and summers.
  The work food banks do goes way beyond simply providing food. They 
and their partners provide nutrition education, diapers, and other 
essential items to people in need. Through their efforts, food banks 
have rescued and distributed millions of pounds of food that otherwise 
would have been wasted. Their work to end food insecurity will lead to 
fewer chronic health problems and save the U.S. economy billions of 
dollars.
  Food banks rely heavily on private donations. Ending food insecurity 
is a team effort--food banks and their partners work with private 
donors, volunteers, farmers, grocery stores, retailers, shippers, 
packers, and others to meet the demand. Even with food coming in from 
many different places, food banks often find themselves running out of 
items--but they never give up.
  I am very proud to introduce this resolution. I want to thank my 
colleagues from Orange County, Representatives Steel, Porter, Levin, 
Sanchez, and Kim for joining me as original cosponsors. We all 
recognize the critical work done by the major food banks in our area, 
CAP OC and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, and their local 
partners in the mission to end food insecurity in Orange County.
  As you enjoy the holiday season, please consider joining me and my 
colleagues from Orange County in expressing bipartisan support and 
gratitude to the food banks, food pantries, and local community-based 
organizations who work year-round to assist those in need and to end 
food insecurity.

                          ____________________