PRINTER'S NO. 2391
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
488
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY PICKETT, BAKER, BOBACK, BOYLE, BURNS, CAUSER,
SCHLEGEL CULVER, DEAN, DEASY, DiGIROLAMO, FREEMAN, HENNESSEY,
KIM, KINSEY, LONGIETTI, MACKENZIE, MARSICO, McNEILL, MILLARD,
MURT, NEILSON, O'BRIEN, PASHINSKI, RAPP, READSHAW, ROZZI,
RYAN, SCHWEYER, TOOHIL, WARD, WHEELAND AND WATSON,
SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of September 2017 as "Hunger Action Month"
in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, September 2017 has been designated as "Hunger Action
Month" to provide a unified opportunity for communities in the
United States to focus attention on the persistent problem of
domestic hunger and to mobilize to create a movement to help end
hunger in America; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Agriculture gathers
information and provides statistics related to domestic hunger;
and
WHEREAS, According to a study published by Feeding America,
in 2015, 1.67 million Pennsylvanians, including nearly half a
million children, did not always know where they would find
their next meal; and
WHEREAS, Many Pennsylvania households experience hunger, and
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some individuals in these households frequently skip meals or
eat too little, sometimes going without food for a whole day;
and
WHEREAS, Research shows that preschool and school-age
children who experience severe hunger have higher levels of
chronic illness, anxiety, depression and behavioral problems
than children receiving a well-balanced diet; and
WHEREAS, Food-insecure seniors have lower nutrient intakes
than food-secure seniors and, without proper nutrients, seniors
are at increased risk of disability, deteriorated health
conditions, decreased resistance to infections, lengthened
hospital stays, deteriorated mental health and being
underweight; and
WHEREAS, The costs of other essentials, such as home heating,
housing and medical care, have increased significantly and, for
families caught in the squeeze between declining wages and
rising costs, the food budget becomes a frequent pressure point;
and
WHEREAS, Utilization of emergency food assistance becomes a
way for these individuals and families to keep food on the table
while still paying the bills; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania food banks serve more than 2 million
individuals annually, including more than 482,000 children and
more than 246,000 senior citizens; and
WHEREAS, Individuals, charities, businesses and government
all have a role to play in getting food to individuals in need;
and
WHEREAS, Food banks, food rescue organizations, soup
kitchens, food pantries, faith-based organizations, businesses
and individuals are donating time, raising funds and giving food
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to help their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians benefiting from the nutrition
assistance programs and services range from infants and toddlers
to school-age children and adolescents to single parents, two-
parent families, veterans and their families, individuals with
disabilities and seniors; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of September 2017 as "Hunger Action Month" in
Pennsylvania.
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