Washington, DC - For the tenth consecutive year, Victory Wholesale Grocers of Springboro, OH and Boca Raton, FL and the D.C. based Congressional Hunger Center (CHC) have teamed up to recognize local anti-hunger organizations that have worked effectively to fight hunger in their communities. Every member of Congress was given the opportunity to nominate organizations in their own community to receive one of the $1,000 prizes that are underwritten by Victory Wholesale Grocers. The Congressional Hunger Center received 50 nominations and made 23 awards. This year’s competition marks a total of $143,000 that has been awarded through the Victory Against Hunger Awards Program.

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) and Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA), CHC board co-chairs, have stated, “The Victory Against Hunger Award winners are living examples of men and women who are citizens and not just spectators. Every one involved with these local anti-hunger organizations is dedicated to getting food into the hands of those who might otherwise go without. We are proud to add our names to the list of people giving them well-deserved praise for all they are doing to end hunger in their communities and across our country.”

Awards were given to schools, WIC clinics, food banks, anti-hunger organizations and other community-based groups that demonstrated success and creativity in “fighting hunger through improving access to or the quality of any child nutrition program.” Successful nominations included the Blackfeet Community Nutrition Council of Browning, Montana which used the U.S. Department of Agriculture Team Nutrition Program to educate and encourage their youth and community at large to eat more fruits and vegetables (Senator Baucus). Also, the San Antonio Food Bank managed a full scale USDA Summer Feeding Program for low-income children, providing as many as 1,500 bag lunches to impoverished children in San Antonio. This organization also has six “Kid’s Cafes” which provide after-school feeding sites for disadvantaged children who need a safe, nurturing place to recreate and receive homework assistance (Representative Bonilla).

The annual “Victory against Hunger Awards” was established by David Kantor, President of Victory Wholesale Grocers, to recognize outstanding organizations in the United States that work to end hunger at the local level. Ten 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.

Founded in 1979, Victory Wholesale Grocers 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, which distributes to wholesalers and retailers in 49 states, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.