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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. John Myers |
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Still time to donate food for Philabundance hunger action drive
Myers to hold news conference with donations update
HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 -- State Rep. John Myers, D-Phila., today reminded residents of Philadelphia and surrounding communities that they still have several days to donate non-perishable food as part of the 30 day drive to stock the shelves of the Philabundance organization, which is combating hunger and malnutrition in the Delaware Valley.
Last month, Myers sponsored a resolution in the state House that designated September as National Hunger Action Month in Pennsylvania. In addition, Myers and a number of colleagues provided food collection bins at their offices to accept donations. Among the supporters were Sen. LeAnna Washington, D-Phila.; Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Phila.; and City Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller.
At the time, Myers declared, "The Philadelphia area is in a hunger state of emergency."
Today he said the situation has gotten more urgent.
"The stock market continues to slide and there are more indications we could be headed into a recession and an increase in unemployment," Myers said. "The old saying that 'to be forewarned is to be forearmed' certainly applies to our need to have food banks stocked for what could be harder times ahead."
Philabundance was founded as a nonprofit food distribution system in 1984, acquiring food and distributing it through organizations to low-income residents at risk of having insufficient food and nutrition.
"The generosity of the people of the 201st District is reflected by the volume of food that has been brought to our drop-off bin at my office and food collection points at the Philadelphia Gas Works local offices," added Myers, "but we need to do more. We need to be prepared for what is ahead in the winter months."
At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, Myers will hold a news conference at his office to announce the results of the 30-day food drive. He will be joined by Wade Coulclough, director of communications for the Philadelphia Gas Works, along with a representative of Philabundance.
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