Senator Diane Allen

October 6, 2011   

Contact: Bill Murray / (609) 847-3600
Senator Diane Allen

Raises Awareness of Need for Donations

Senator Diane Allen today hosted an event for Burlington County food pantries in order to help restock their shelves and raise awareness of unprecedented shortages of provisions and supplies.

Senator Diane Allen (R-7) helps to distribute crates of food donated to local food pantries.

“Food is such a basic need. Recent record setting demands for assistance coupled with substantial cuts in federal funding have left our food pantries barren,” said Allen. “It is my hope today to bring to light the real face of hunger in our own communities. Additionally we will be donating over 10,000 pounds of food to the agencies in attendance today.”

Senator Allen was joined by representatives from area food pantries. Representatives of the following food pantries and agencies have confirmed their attendance: Extended Hand Ministries, Fountain of Life, Family Service Food Pantry, Sisterhood Inc., Ladle of Love, Cathedral of Love, Abundant Life Fellowship, House of God, Life Giving Word Family Center, Burlington Township Food Pantry, Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Jacob’s Chapel, Catholic Charities/Emergency Services, Sacred Heart St. Vincent De Paul, Faith Christian Counseling Center, Delaware Valley Baptist Church and Servicios Latinos of Burlington County.

Senator Allen speaking about the importance of donations to local food pantries and those they serve. Some of the crates of food that were distributed to local organizations are visible in the background.

“The nutrition bars that we are able to donate were donated by Nourish America through the National Foundation of Women Legislators,” said Allen. “I thank them for responding to my request for help, and I thank Whitesell Construction for agreeing to warehouse the supplies.”

Allen added, “I am hopeful that this event will serve as a reminder to folks out there to please give to their local food pantries whenever possible. Even a small donation can prevent someone from going to bed hungry.”

Senator Allen posing with representatives of some of the local food pantries that attended to accept donations.

The following remarks were issued by the National Foundation for Women Legislators:

As part of her ongoing effort to provide resources to her constituents New Jersey State Senator Diane Allen is spearheading, along with the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL), the delivery of food, and vitamin supplements to local food pantries in dire need of supplies during this economic struggle.

Senator Allen speaking with representatives of a local food pantry about the types of food that will be provided as part of the distribution.

As part of NFWL’s Disaster Relief Task Force, Senator Allen, an NFWL board member, in concert with California non-profit organization Nourish America, had organized a delivery of food and supplies in preparation for Hurricane Irene. The process renewed Senator Allen’s awareness of the continuing need for food and supplies in local and state food pantries. Quick to action, Senator Allen once again reached out to NFWL, who in collaboration with Nourish America was once again able to ensure delivery of energy bars and nutritional supplements to the pantries in need.

NFWL President & CEO, Robin Read remarked, “Senator Diane Allen has a proven history of service to her constituents and to New Jersey citizens as a whole. With the vast majority of the food insecure in New Jersey being women and their children, it is no surprise that Allen, a leader on issues of women’s and children’s health, has orchestrated this important feeding event, with more than 10,000 pounds of food distributed. We have come to know and respect her as a legislator on which people in need can depend. Her leadership reflects her ability to serve as the ideal partner during this dark economic time, when high unemployment has caused a major rise in the number of families relaying on food pantries to meet their daily needs, something that cannot be ignored. We thank Sen. Allen for her hard work, preparedness, and effectiveness,” added Read.

Raises Awareness of Need for Donations Senator Diane Allen today hosted an event for Burlington County food pantries in order to help restock their shelves and raise awareness of unprecedented shortages of provisions and supplies. Senator Diane Allen (R-7) helps to distribute crates of food [...]