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TO PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2016 AS "HUNGER ACTION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTANDING WORK OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA FOOD BANK ASSOCIATION.
Whereas, the month of September has been designated as "Hunger Action Month" in order to provide an 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. In 2014, 14% of United States households were food insecure; and
Whereas, according to a study published by Feeding America, in 2016, 794,590 South Carolinians did not always know where they would find their next meal; and
Whereas, hunger is a reality for 16.4% of the population in South Carolina - or nearly one in five South Carolinians; and
Whereas, many United States households 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, 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 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, 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 individuals and families to keep food on the table while still paying the bills; and
Whereas, in 2014, according to Feeding America, one in seven individuals in the United States access emergency food from a food pantry one or more times; and
Whereas, individuals, charities, businesses, and government all have a role to play in getting food to those in need; and
Whereas, food banks (including those who are members of the South Carolina Food Bank Association), soup kitchens, food pantries, faith-based organizations, businesses and individuals are donating time, raising funds and giving food to help their neighbors; and
Whereas, the South Carolina Food Bank Association, as members of Feeding America, provides guidance, support and vital food resources to over 1,100 agencies and for every dollar of support, providing an average of five meals, plus each hour of volunteer support saving taxpayers $21.56, working to close the ongoing need for services by leveraging local community partnerships; and
Whereas, the four member agencies of the South Carolina Food Bank Association provided approximately 61,009,031 meals in the most recently completed year; and
Whereas, individuals benefiting from the availability of donated food range from infants and toddlers, school-age children and adolescents to single mothers, single fathers, two-parent families, veterans and their families, and seniors. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, proclaim the month of September 2016 as "Hunger Action Month" in the State of South Carolina and recognize the outstanding work of the South Carolina Food Bank Association.
This web page was last updated on May 17, 2016 at 12:50 PM