Governor Kicks Off Annual State Employees Food Drive
Governor Kicks Off Annual State Employees Food Drive
Governor Kulongoski has actively continued his efforts to reduce hunger in Oregon and ensure that all Oregonians are able to have adequate nutrition. While the Governor kicked off his Annual State Employees Food Drive this month, he set a goal of collecting 3.5 million pounds of food for distribution to needy people through the Oregon Food Bank Network.
The Oregon Food Bank, a hunger relief network that acquires and distributes pounds of donated food works concurrently with the Governor's State Employees Food Drive that has been the most successful food drive in the state. "There are Oregonians who are hungry," said the Governor, "we raise millions of pounds of food to help alleviate that problem and I am particularly pleased that the hardworking men and women who serve Oregonians on a day-to-day basis in their jobs take such a compassionate and concerted approach to helping us move Oregon quickly in the right direction on this issue."
The Governor mentioned that three years ago, Oregon had the highest hunger rate in the nation. He is pleased to announce that we have improved drastically. Oregon experienced a statistically significant drop in the rate of food insecurity, putting us near the national average for both hunger and food insecurity. Our rate of food insecurity with hunger decreased from 5.8% in 1999-01 to 3.8% in 2002-04. Our rate of food insecurity also decreased, from 13.7% in 1999-01 to 11.9% in 2002-04 (SOURCE: Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force). "We have fought this battle with every tool at our disposal, including better outreach in food stamp programs, more participation in school lunch programs, and innovative programs like Seniors Farmers Markets, which enable seniors to buy fresh local produce at low prices," the Governor said.
The Governor is extremely adamant to continue the fight against hunger. "We need to redouble our efforts and raise as much money and food as possible," the Governor said. In 2006, The State Employees Food Drive will run during the month of February. Governor Kulongoski wishes the best for this year's effort and encourages every Oregonian to help another.
http://www.tedforgov.com/2006/01/governor_kicks.html