Honor Bed-Stuy Hunger Campaign

Senate Resolution No. 1757 BY: Senator PARKER COMMENDING Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger upon the occasion of hosting its 8th Annual Planter Award Dinner, and paying tribute to this year's honorees on May 2, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities of New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger upon the occasion of hosting its 8th Annual Planter Award Dinner, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Tuesday, May

2, 2017; the theme for this year's event is entitled "Feed NYC Forward," symbolizing the Campaign's efforts to provide food to those in New York City by advancing its efforts of ending food insecurity for all New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, This will be done by taking a more innovative aggressive approach to combating poverty one person at a time; Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger will meet the increasing demands of feeding those in need in a healthy manner by developing new strategies which will educate people about nutrition, make its resources more accessible, provide extended programs and service, and of course feed more people; and WHEREAS, The main premise of Feed NYC Forward is based on "Our Hunger to End Hunger," and each and every staff member will do everything possible to see this dream become a reality; and WHEREAS, This year's honorees are Dr. Olajide Williams and Richard Roberts; Dr. Olajide Williams is the founder of Hip Hop Public Health; this vital organization uses music as the message, and today's popular artists as messengers to reach economically disadvantaged elementary school aged children with an innovative array of media tools designed to improve health literacy and foster positive behaviors; and WHEREAS, Richard Roberts holds the position of Managing Director of Red Stone Equity, a privately owned real estate finance and investment company which provides innovative financial products and services to the multi-family housing industry; and WHEREAS, Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger (BSCAH) was established in

1998 to holistically serve the growing number of families facing hunger and, recognizing and understanding that the fight to end hunger extends beyond canned goods, BSCAH not only distributes food, it empowers families, providing information and supportive services which will give both strength and dignity to the community; and WHEREAS, BSCAH continues to serve many individuals monthly at its SuperPantry, located in the heart of the Bedford-Stuyvesant community of Brooklyn; the number of clients it serves continues to grow and, tragically, each day it serves more and more people in dire need; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organizations and individuals who have faithfully served the needs of their community with diligence and compassionate commitment to improving the quality and dignity of life in the community are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger upon the occasion of hosting its 8th Annual Planter Award Dinner, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger, Dr. Olajide Williams and Richard Roberts.