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August 4, 2004
Washington, DC - For the 12th 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 state-wide and 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 26 awards. This year's competition
marks a total of $170,000 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 anti-hunger, faith based groups, food
banks, civil rights and nutrition policy organizations, as
well as other community-based groups that demonstrated success
and creativity in "fighting hunger through improving
access to the Food Stamp Program." Successful nominations
included the Children's Hunger Alliance of Columbus, Ohio
nominated by Representatives John Boehner, Deborah Pryce and
Patrick Tiberi. This statewide anti-hunger group worked with
the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to improve
the operation of the Food Stamp Program by aligning the asset
and income requirements of the Food Stamps with those of cash
assistance and Medicaid programs. Also, Ohio now is taking
advantage of federal matching funds for Food Stamp outreach
in Cuyahoga County.
Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York nominated the
New York City Coalition Against Hunger. Through a combination
of advocacy, policy development, and grassroots outreach work,
the Coalition played a significant role in the more than 180,000
person increase (23%) in Food Stamp Program participation
in New York City since January 2002. The coalition trained
workers at food pantries and soup kitchens to conduct program
outreach and also used media outlets to encourage increased
enrollment in the Food Stamp Program by low-income New Yorkers.
Representative Diane Watson nominated the Los Angeles Regional
Foodbank. The Foodbank, one of only 12 U.S. Department of
Agriculture grantees nationwide to conduct a Food Stamp Outreach
and Research project, partnered with Los Angeles County and
100 Foodbank agencies to pre-screen and help people apply
for food stamps. The LA Foodbank also partnered with USDA's
Western Region Office, California Food Policy Advocates and
the Emerson National Hunger Fellowship Program to analyze
and improve customer services on the Los Angeles County's
system.
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. Twelve
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.
Established in 1993, the Congressional Hunger Center'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."
Additional Information:
2004 Victory Against Hunger Winners
2004 Victory Against Hunger Winner Summaries
2004 Victory Against Hunger Advisory
Committee
February 2004 Victory Against Hunger
Announcement
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