THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY MYERS, MURT, PARKER AND J. EVANS, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing September 2011 as "Hunger Action Month" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, September 2011 has been designated as "Hunger Action

Month" to provide an opportunity for communities in the United

States to unite to focus attention on the persistent problem of

domestic hunger; and

WHEREAS, For one in five Pennsylvanians, hunger is a reality;

and

WHEREAS, Many households in the United States experience

hunger, and some people in these households frequently skip

meals or eat too little, sometimes going without food for a

whole day; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, 14.7% of households in the United States

were food insecure, meaning their access to enough food was

limited by a lack of money and other resources, and this was

the highest recorded rate of food insecurity since 1995 when the

first national food security survey was conducted; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, 1,690,430 Pennsylvanians were food

insecure; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, over 21% of Pennsylvania's children

experienced food insecurity; and

WHEREAS, Members of these households have lower-quality diets

or must resort to seeking emergency food because they cannot

always afford the food they need; and

WHEREAS, The costs of other essentials, such as home heating,

gasoline, 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 families to keep food on the table while still

paying their bills for other essentials; 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

to help their neighbors; and

WHEREAS, Individuals benefiting from the availability of

donated food range from infants and toddlers, school-age

children and adolescents to single parents, single fathers, two-

parent families, veterans and their families and seniors; and

WHEREAS, Research shows that preschool and school-age

children who experience severe hunger have higher levels of

chronic illness, anxiety and depression and behavioral problems

than children with no hunger; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize

September 2011 as "Hunger Action Month" in Pennsylvania.