| R 058 |
| 2024 -- H 7348 Enacted 01/30/2024 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING JANUARY 30, 2024, TO BE "RHODE ISLAND FOOD INSECURITY AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Kislak, Speakman, J. Lombardi, Hull, Felix, and Ajello |
| Date Introduced: January 30, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, In 2023, a record number of Rhode Islanders needed food assistance due to |
| high food prices, the steep rise in housing costs, and the end of COVID-19 relief programs; and |
| WHEREAS, According to the 2023 Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island, 29 percent |
| of Rhode Island households are unable to meet their basic food needs; and |
| WHEREAS, Communities of color and families with children are at the greatest risk of |
| hunger; and |
| WHEREAS, Food pantries in Rhode Island assisted an average of 77,500 people a month |
| in 2023; and |
| WHEREAS, A recent Rhode Island food cost study showed that food prices went up by |
| 11 percent from July 2022 to July 2023, adding to already inflated prices from the previous year; |
| and |
| WHEREAS, From July of 2022 through June of 2023, the Rhode Island Community |
| Food Bank ("Food Bank") distributed 16.2 million pounds of food through its 143-member |
| agencies across Rhode Island, which included 3.7 million pounds of fresh produce and 2.8 |
| million pounds of culturally relevant foods; and |
| WHEREAS, During 2023, beginning on July 1, the Food Bank will spend $8 million on |
| food acquisition in order to keep pace with the high demand for food assistance especially among |
| families with children and people of color; now, therefore be it |
| WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island is committed to addressing the health and |
| wellbeing of its residents by continuing public awareness of increased food insecurity and |
| seeking ways to address this increased need; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| proclaims January 30, 2024, to be "Rhode Island Food Insecurity Awareness Day" and moreover |
| thanks the dedicated members and contributors to the State’s 143 food bank agencies for their |
| efforts to feed and provide for the hungry, the vulnerable, and those in need; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Andrew Schiff, Executive Director of the |
| Rhode Island Community Food Bank. |
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| LC003621 |
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