WASHINGTON - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) was presented with the "Martin Luther King, Jr.-Keeping the Dream Alive Award" from the Capital Area Food Bank on Monday in recognition of his continued commitment to fighting hunger in the Washington region.
Hoyer has helped secure millions of dollars in federal funds to help the Capital Area Food Bank meet its increasing needs. The Food Bank's clients include 212 agencies in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties.
"Every day, about 600,000 people in the Washington region are at risk of or are experiencing hunger," Hoyer said. "The Capital Area Food Bank is leading the charge to help combat this dire situation."
The Food Bank is the largest non-profit provider of food and other household necessities, serving those at risk of hunger in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Since 1980, the Food Bank has distributed over $445 million in donated products, touching the lives of over 383,000 people annually through its more than 700 partner agencies in D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
During the last two fiscal years, Hoyer helped secure nearly $3 million in federal funds to help the Capital Area Food Bank construct its new warehouse. "This investment will allow the Food Bank to more than double its output, serve nearly 4 million meals a month, and become a hub for its umbrella organization, America's Second Harvest," he said.
"Congressman Hoyer's leadership in helping to leverage much needed support to obtain a larger warehouse at the Capital Area Food Bank has resulted in tremendous support from the Metro Washington community," said Lynn Brantley, the Food Bank's President and CEO. "He is willing to be a part of our community, to see and understand the reality of hunger, and to join in our effort to ensure that all may eat."
The appropriated funds are the first federal money the Food Bank has received in its 25-year history.
"The Capitol Area Food Bank provides an essential service to our area's most needy, and I am proud to be a strong supporter of its efforts," Hoyer said.
"We deeply appreciate Congressman Hoyer's compassion and commitment to Prince George's County, the Metro Washington community, and the nation," added Brantley.
RELATED INFORMATION:
Capital Area Food Bank
http://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/