| Press Release |
|
|
 |
| January 2, 2008 |
|
New Year's Message: Governor Kulongoski Asks Oregonians to Resolve to Fight Hunger
Joins with Oregon Food Bank in release of report that tells the true story of hunger in Oregon
Salem – On the eve of the New Year, Governor Ted Kulongoski has joined Rachel Bristol, CEO of the Oregon Food Bank, in releasing the OFB’s Voices 2007 report and is asking all Oregonians to join him in resolving to fight hunger in 2008.
“Today, I ask Oregonians everywhere to join together, again, to listen to the voices of our most vulnerable neighbors – those who are disabled, elderly on fixed incomes and working poor families with children -- and to resolve to do what you can to help fight hunger and its root causes, because no one should be hungry,” said Governor Kulongoski.
The Voices 2007 report is the result of seven focus groups from across the state that the OFB conducted with emergency-food-box recipients to learn more about their day-to-day experiences living with hunger.
In an average month, 192,000 people – including 71,000 children – in Oregon and across the river in Clark County, Washington, eat meals from an emergency food box distributed through member agencies of the Oregon Food Bank Network. The Oregon Food Bank provides emergency food to its network of 20 regional food banks and to more than 900 agencies throughout Oregon.
“The Oregon Food Bank Network is struggling to fill empty warehouse shelves and individual donations are more important than ever,” said Bristol. Food donations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture dropped 60 percent over the past three years.
“This year, Oregonians really came together to help their neighbors in need and we saw that most recently in the generous support in helping coastal communities hit by the recent storms,” said Governor Kulongoski. “But our work is not done and I ask all Oregonians to please remember that every day thousands of people in every corner of the state struggle with hunger. Together we can make 2008 a better year for everyone.”
The Governor is asking Oregonians to:
- Resolve to visit www.oregonfoodbank.org to download a copy of Voices 2007.
- Resolve to donate food, funds or time to the Oregon Food Bank.
- Resolve to listen to the voices of neighbors in need and to work for public policies to help fight the root causes of hunger.
- Resolve to write a letter to President Bush to tell him to increase funding levels for the nation’s food stamp and emergency food programs.
Contact:
Patty Wentz, 503-378-6169
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
|
|
|
|
