Oregon Watchdog: Smith, Dole Work To Highlight Hunger Challenges

OREGON U. S. SENATOR
Gordon Smith

PRESS RELEASE: June 10, 2008
CONTACT: Kimberly Collins, 202-224-5364

Smith, Dole Work To Highlight Hunger Challenges
Senators Smith and Dole team up with DC Central Kitchen to fight hunger
Senator Smith helps prepare food at DC Central Kitchen

- Washington, D.C. - Senate Hunger Caucus members Senators Gordon H. Smith and Elizabeth Dole joined today to shed light on the harmful affects of skyrocketing food and fuel prices on local food banks. Food banks across the nation are experiencing increased demands for food all while donations are continuing to decline. Nationally, food bank demands are up 20 percent above last year's level.

“Mounting food and fuel prices are putting a real squeeze on the family budget,” said Smith. “By working together and making food assistance a top priority, we can ensure that no one is priced out of the most basic human necessities. I look forward to working with Sen. Dole and other members of the Hunger Caucus to bring attention and a viable solution to this problem.”

“One in 10 U.S. households faces hunger and food insecurity,” said Dole. “Particularly as food and energy prices are on the rise, we must be cognizant of the millions of people in our country who struggle to have enough to eat. I am so pleased to join with Sen. Smith today in raising awareness about this important issue, and I look forward to continuing our work together in the Senate on initiatives that fight hunger in America.”

Smith and Dole this afternoon presented food items collected during the fourth annual Senate Hunger Caucus Food Drive. The food will go to the Capitol Area Food Bank, which helps feed low-income residents in the greater Washington DC area.

While helping the DC Central Kitchen to prepare food, Smith and Dole both praised and supported the recently passed Farm Bill. The bill will drastically support low-income Americans and emergency feeding organizations by providing over $10.4 billion in funding for federal nutrition programs, including the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Food Stamp Program.

In 2004, Senator Smith formed the Senate Hunger Caucus. Since forming the caucus, Senator Dole and 34 other Senators have joined Smith to lead a bipartisan effort to raise awareness of hunger and encouraging new efforts to combat it.
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