Posted: | January 20, 2015 10:21 AM |
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From: | Representative Kevin J. Boyle |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Resolution Designating March 20, 2015 as March for Meals Day in Pennsylvania |
In the near future, I am planning to introduce a resolution designating March 20, 2015, as March for Meals Day in Pennsylvania. Hunger among senior citizens is a serious and pervasive problem in America, as research indicates that 9.3 million seniors faced the threat of hunger in 2012, which reflects a 44% increase since 2001. Further, since the economic recession began in 2007, there has been a 49% increase in senior hunger and the threat of hunger for seniors increased in 44 states. To address this challenging issue, there are approximately 5,000 local senior nutrition programs in the United States, which daily provide more than one million meals to seniors who need them. However, much more needs to be done. As such, the Meals on Wheels Association of America annually sponsors the March for Meals campaign, which is designed to raise awareness of senior hunger and encourage action at the local level. Indeed, senior nutrition programs across the United States promote March for Meals through public events, volunteer recruitment efforts, partnerships with local businesses, and fundraising initiatives. These initiatives are undertaken in local communities around the country. Moreover, on September 1, 2009, the MOWAA Board of Directors approved a new vision for the association, which is to end senior hunger by 2020. Indeed, MOWAA’s goal is to recruit 6 million people who are willing to stand up and pledge to do what it takes to end senior hunger. |
Introduced as HR48