Cites Importance of Addressing Hunger in the Fight to Reduce Poverty
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rev. Larry Snyder, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), today commended the signing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which will improve the quality of school breakfasts, lunches and other foods sold in schools and strengthen nutrition programs that serve young children.
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"This critical legislation ensures that more of our nation's children have access to healthy, nutritious food and reaffirms our commitment as a nation to addressing the problem of childhood hunger," said Fr. Snyder. "It is unacceptable that 1 in 4 children in poverty in America are hungry. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 is an essential step in helping the 43.6 million American families who struggle every day to feed their children."
Food and nutrition is a top priority of Catholic Charities USA's 170 local agencies, which provided food services to over 7 million people in 2009. "Eliminating childhood hunger is central to our work to reduce poverty in America. While Catholic Charities will continue to provide food and nutrition services to the millions in need throughout the country, we must also address the underlying causes of hunger in our nation," said Fr. Snyder.
2010 marked CCUSA's Centennial year and was dedicated to the exploration of the most effective and innovative ideas in poverty prevention and intervention, including programs focused on childhood hunger, being utilized throughout the country. This research resulted in the National Opportunity and Community Renewal Act (NOCRA) which supports community solutions to entrenched poverty-related issues and represents a new approach to social service delivery which focuses on a single point of entry for clients, ensuring that struggling individuals are treated holistically.
"With our nation's safety nets stretched to their breaking points, we must continue to deliver the essential services Americans rely on us to supply, while simultaneously looking for innovative ways to not only alleviate poverty but to prevent it," said Fr. Snyder.
As one of the nation's largest social service networks, Catholic Charities served over 9 million people in 2009 and witnessed a 10% increase in the need for basic nutritional, housing and financial services.
To learn more, visit Catholic Charities USA's Web site at http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.
Catholic Charities USA's members provide help and create hope for over 9 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. For almost 300 years, Catholic Charities agencies have worked to reduce poverty by providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from health care and job training to food and housing. In 2010, Catholic Charities USA celebrates its centennial anniversary. For more information, visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.
SOURCE Catholic Charities USA
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