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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ed Cooney or Angelina Pérez
Congressional Hunger Center
Hall of the States Building
400 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite G-100
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 547-7022; fax (202) 547-7575
Washington, DC – March 3, 2008 – The Congressional Hunger Center (CHC) and Victory Wholesale Group of Springboro, Ohio, and Boca Raton, Florida, announce the 2008 “Victory Against Hunger Awards” (VAH Awards). Twenty-five $1,000 grants will be available to organizations building innovative “farm to school” programs including anti-hunger and community food security groups, food banks, schools and other active organizations. The total unrestricted grants generously provided from Victory Wholesale Group have now reached $288,000 since their inception in 1993.
This year’s farm to school theme showcases the movement sweeping the nation to increase nutrition at schools and provide children with lasting education in agriculture, health, and the environment. A panel of experts will choose awardees based on their success in achieving the goal of fighting hunger by making fresh fruits and vegetables available in school and after school nutrition programs. There is a well established relationship between access to nutritious food and a child’s increased ability to learn. These programs connect local farms that provide fresh and seasonal foods (including fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs and dairy) to school programs.
In addition to increasing children’s access to nutritious foods and supporting local family farmers, the farm to school approach provides students with an opportunity to visit the farms, start gardens, and implement recycling and composting programs at school. With over 1,000 active farm to school programs in 38 states, it’s time to recognize their valuable contribution to our children’s educational and nutritional needs.
The annual VAH Awards were established by David Kantor, President of Victory Wholesale Group, to recognize outstanding organizations in the United States that work to end hunger and improve nutrition and health at the local level. Sixteen years ago Kantor teamed up with then-Congressional Hunger Center Chairman Rep. Tony Hall because each believed strongly in the value of keeping members of Congress involved in solving the problem of hunger. CHC’s co-chairs, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and Rep. James P. McGovern, carry on this noble tradition.
Under the VAH Awards program, potential awardees may only be nominated by a member of the U.S. Congress. The application process consists of a one or two page letter from a member of Congress to the Congressional Hunger Center highlighting the nominee’s efforts in fighting hunger through promoting or creating innovative farm to school programs. The nomination period is April 1st through June 6th. Awards will be announced on July 1st. Nomination letters should be addressed to Victory Against Hunger, c/o Congressional Hunger Center at the address listed above. The name and telephone number (including area code) of a
contact person from the Congressional office accepting the check, and the legal name of the organization possibly receiving the award must accompany each nomination.
Founded in 1979, Victory Wholesale Group is a wholesale distributor of dry groceries and health and beauty care products. Victory is a national company employing hundreds of people across the country that distributes to wholesalers and retailers across the United States and Puerto Rico.
Established in 1993, CHC’s mission is to “fight hunger by developing leaders” who have a shared commitment to a nation and a world free from hunger. It embodies the spirit and goal of the former House Select Committee on Hunger, “to find real solutions to hunger and poverty.” CHC administers the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program and the Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows Program.
For additional information about the Congressional Hunger Center, please visit our website at www.hungercenter.org. For more information on farm to school, visit www.farmtoschool.org.
Tips on Winning a Victory Against Hunger Award
- Contact the local or Washington, DC office of the House or Senate member who represents the people in your area or state. There is no application for a VAH award. A member of Congress simply submits a one or two page letter describing how your organization has been engaged in any effort within the VAH theme of promoting/creating a successful “Farm to School” program.
- Explain to the Congressional Office how the VAH awards program is a “win/win” situation in that members of Congress get an opportunity to recognize (with a private sector donated cash award) the valuable work of one of their constituent organizations. Each Congressional member will learn a great deal about how children can receive fresh fruits and vegetables at school and become a program supporter while your organization will receive recognition for a job well done.
- Make sure that you give the Congressional office all the information it needs to clearly demonstrate that your organization is effectively developing and/or implementing a "Farm to School" program or project.
- Consideration is only given to nomination letters which include the name, address, and telephone number of a contact person in either the local or Washington, DC, Congressional office willing to accept the VAH award check.
- CHC normally receives more than 65 nominations. We encourage you to apply early to ensure receipt of materials by the deadline.
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