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Congresswoman Duckworth Visits Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry to Help Distribute Thanksgiving Dinners to Needy Families


Schaumburg, IL–(ENEWSPF)–November 24, 2015.  Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) today joined local volunteers distributing Thanksgiving turkey dinners to families in need at Schaumburg’s Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry. Representative Duckworth and her staff have volunteered their time at local food pantries to highlight a growing need to address hunger in the community, an issue of deep personal significance for the Congresswoman. A photo of the Congresswoman and other food pantry volunteers is available here.

“Having relied on food stamps as a teenager, hunger is a deeply personal issue for me and one I have long worked to eliminate. I am grateful for the selfless work of those who volunteer their time on the front lines in this fight at food pantries and soup kitchens around the country,” said Congresswoman Duckworth.“As we enter the holiday season we should remember those who remain in need, those struggling to feed their children, and those who rely on the kindness of their neighbors just to get by. I’m humbled to be able to give back to my 8th District community today and hope we can each recommit ourselves to helping those who are not as fortunate.”

Earlier this year, Congresswoman Duckworth invited Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry Manager LaVerne Horgan to be her guest for Pope Francis’ historic address to Congress. Since the food pantry opened in 2004, Ms. Horgan has volunteered her time each week to oversee the operations and distribute food. This year alone, the food pantry in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository has helped over 2,900 families in Schaumburg and the surrounding suburbs put food on the table. Their work is critical, because 1 in 7 Illinoisans are food insecure. Ms. Horgan’s food pantry is a non-geographic and non-denominational food pantry whose sole purpose is to serve those who would otherwise go without the basic necessities. This service is fully staffed by volunteers that help stock shelves, greet families and receive shipments from the Greater Chicago Food Depository and local grocery stores.

Congresswoman Duckworth is a champion for volunteer and community service and has been a strong advocate for food security and anti-hunger initiatives. Her family relied on food stamps and school lunches to help get through a difficult period after her father lost his job. In Congress she has fought efforts to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and has held roundtables and other events on the topic in the 8th District to increase awareness and inspire action. In 2013, she offered an amendment to require a report to Congress on the effects that draconian proposed SNAP cuts would have on the ability of charitable food providers, like the Church of Holy Spirit food pantry, to meet demand. She has also advocated for expanding the USDA Summer Nutrition Program to help more children access quality meals during the summer months.

Source: www.duckworth.house.gov

 


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