Political Quotes

“I have sought recognition to introduce legislation titled The Weekends Without Hunger Act. This legislation will ensure that children who rely on free and reduced-price school meals have access to nutritious meals on the weekends and during other periods in which they are away from school. Nearly 20 million school-age children, including more than one million in Pennsylvania, eat a free or reduced-price meal at school. Existing programs designed to ensure access to affordable meals for these disadvantaged children at home are inadequate. A Department of Agriculture survey released in November 2009 reported that 49 million Americans were unable to consistently get enough to eat during 2008; 17 million of them were children. A recently conducted survey by Drexel University shows that the number of children under the age of 6 experiencing very low food security has tripled since 2006. The legislation I am introducing today addresses the food insecurity experienced by our Nation's school children by providing them a weekend feeding option. My legislation establishes a 5-year pilot program during which time eligible institutions, such as schools and food banks, may provide a free backpack of child-friendly, non-perishable food for the weekend. It is my intention to seek inclusion of The Weekends Without Hunger Act in the upcoming reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.”