Chairmen Lewis and McDermott Opening Statements at a Joint Hearing on Food Banks and Front-Line Charities

WASHINGTON, DC — At a joint subcommittee hearing today examining the unprecedented demands on food banks and front-line charities, Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Chairman John Lewis (D-GA), and Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Jim McDermott (D-WA) delivered the following statements:

Chairman Lewis:

"Today, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support of the Committee on Ways and Means are holding a joint hearing to examine hunger, and to find out how the Federal government, charities, private foundations, and individuals can work together to make sure every American has enough food to eat.

"Today we are talking about the most basic of human needs, and we need to get some basic answers. Who is hungry? Who are the new faces of hunger? Where can people go for help? Why aren't front-line charities able to serve all of those in need? What can Congress do to help?"

Click here to read Chairman Lewis' entire statement.

Chairman McDermott:

"Chairman Lewis, I am pleased to join you today in conducting this hearing on the growing demand for assistance at food banks.

"Today's discussion is well timed given the report from the Department of Agriculture on Monday that nearly 50 million Americans lacked consistent access to food last year. In simpler times, we called this `hunger,` but government statisticians now define it as food insecurity.

"Whatever you call it, we have a big problem when nearly one out of every four American children doesn't have reliable access to food. Food banks around the country are working hard to help hungry Americans. However, just as the demand for their services is escalating, some are finding charitable donations declining."

Click here to read Chairman McDermott's entire statement.

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