SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 143
WHEREAS, The Texas Senate is pleased to recognize the
members of Feeding Texas for their invaluable work on behalf of
low-income families across the state; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1986, Feeding Texas consists of 21
food banks that provide service to all 254 Texas counties through
approximately 3,000 community agencies; and
WHEREAS, To further the goal of reducing hunger and
improving health in our state, many public-private partnerships
have been created, including the Texans Feeding Texans Surplus
Agricultural Products Grant Program; this innovative program
seeks to facilitate the donation of surplus food to feed low-income
families across Texas; and
WHEREAS, By offsetting the costs of harvesting, packaging,
and transportation, the Surplus Agricultural Products Grant
Program offers incentives to growers to donate fresh produce that
would otherwise be left in the field; this initiative has
resulted in more than 150 million pounds of surplus produce being
distributed across the state; and
WHEREAS, Network members have established a partnership
with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to provide
nutrition education and obesity prevention services in
combination with fresh produce distribution; this initiative is
called "Feeding with Impact" and seeks to improve the dietary
health of low-income Texans; and
WHEREAS, Network members have also established a partnership
with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to provide
client education and application assistance for the Supplemental
Nutritional Assistance Program, which greatly increases the
efficiency of the eligibility-determination process; and
WHEREAS, Feeding Texas created the Second Chance program,
which allows inmates of the criminal justice system to gain
valuable work experience and certifications through volunteer
efforts at the food banks; and
WHEREAS, It is truly fitting that Feeding Texas and its food
banks be recognized for their many contributions to the
well-being of the citizens of our state; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby commend Feeding Texas on its exemplary
efforts to ensure that all Texans have access to nutritious food
and extend to its members best wishes for continued success; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor
of this organization.
Perry
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 7, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate