Senate Resolution No. 747 BY: Senator PERSAUD COMMENDING The Campaign Against Hunger upon the occasion of hosting its 12th Annual Planter Awards Gala, and paying tribute to this year's honorees on May 3, 2023 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities of New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The Campaign Against Hunger upon the occasion of hosting its 12th Annual Planter Awards Gala, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Giando on the Water in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, This year's honorees are Kate MacKenzie, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Food Policy; Noreen Springstead, President and CEO of Partnership for a Healthier America; and Karen Washington, Co-Owner of Rise & Root Farm and Co-Founder, Black Urban Growers; and WHEREAS, The Campaign Against Hunger was founded in 1998, by Dr. Melony Samuels to empower its neighbors to lead healthier, more productive, and self-sufficient lives by increasing access to safe, nutritious food and related resources; and WHEREAS, Since its inception, The Campaign Against Hunger has grown from its humble beginnings operating out of a small pantry in a church basement to meeting some of the day's toughest challenges, such as youth empowerment, nutrition education, and community engagement-head-on through its SuperPantry; and WHEREAS, The Campaign Against Hunger has also served neighbors in 150 zip codes with food and other vital programs and services, and sought to bring food justice to New York City along the way; and WHEREAS, The SuperPantry offers its clients hundreds of nutrition education classes, workshops, and cooking demonstrations each year, and its urban farms and the Green Teens who maintain them have continued to infuse heart-healthy fruits and vegetables into food deserts and provide gainful employment to local youth; and WHEREAS, In addition, this remarkable organization offers a variety of social services, including SNAP registration, health insurance enrollment, and tax filing preparation; and WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of Dr. Melony Samuels, The Campaign Against Hunger continues to evolve as food insecurity, economic inequality, and health disparities continue to plague our communities; and WHEREAS, The success of The Campaign Against Hunger is in direct correlation to the efforts of its Board of Directors and staff, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the institution and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organizations and individuals who have faithfully served the needs of their community with diligence and compassionate commitment to improving the quality and dignity of life in the community are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend The Campaign Against Hunger upon the occasion of hosting its 12th Annual Planter Awards Gala, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees on May 3, 2023; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Melony Samuels, CEO/Founder, The Campaign Against Hunger, and the aforementioned honorees.