Introduction of A Resolution in Support of Food Banks, Food Pantries, and Other Community-Based Organizations That Fight to End Food Insecurity

Floor Speech

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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.

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.

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