June 13, 2008

Ending Hunger in America

Syd Mandelbaum, founder of Rock and Wrap It Up! http://www.rockandwrapitup.org sent out his latest e-newsletter today. We are never disappointed when we read of the latest triumphs that Syd, his small devoted staff and huge corps of volunteers manage to achieve. What started as a hunger relief project that retrieved leftovers from backstage at rock concerts (performance artists are usually treated to bountiful meals prior to going onstage) has expanded in so many ways since Syd began this work in 1994. To get a complete picture of the scope of RWR’s work a visit to the website is in order, but there is one major feat we must mention here.

Syd refers to Rock and Wrap It Up! as a think tank on anti-poverty issues and if you review their site you will see just how many different areas they are involved in. There is no doubt, though, that what Syd and his group accomplished this year, described in the statement excerpted below, is an incredibly significant accomplishment. Yasher koach, Syd and Rock and Wrap It Up! As you say, the problem of hunger in this country will be greatly relieved by the passage of this bill.

Senate passes OUR BILL S 2420!!

S 2420, the Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 was passed unanimously in the Senate in May. This Act was created, introduced and lobbied by Rock and Wrap It Up! It encourages the donation of food that is prepared but not served or sold. In early June, the Federal food Donation Act of 2008 was re-voted in the House, as there were some changes in the Senate version. It passed unanimously…We hope to have President Bush sign it this month. We are proud of all those who helped create awareness of the Act and helped in its passage through our legislative branches.

More importantly, millions of meals, in the aggregate will be available to feed our nations poor. This is our first step into changing American culture to feed the hungry and further green our land by not having food in our land fills. Once the Act is signed, we intend on reaching out to each State’s Governor and ask that each State building become a potential harvesting tool, further using our simple tactic to help alleviate our nation’s hunger issue.