Honor Siena for Community Service

Senate Resolution No. 3112 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Siena College upon the occasion of being named the 2017 Outstanding Community Partner by the Food Pantries for the Capital District WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organizations and individuals who would 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 honor Siena College upon the occasion of being named the 2017 Outstanding Community Partner by the Food Pantries for the Capital District at its 6th Annual Harvest Evening Celebration to benefit the food pantries at Revolution Hall, in Troy, New York, on Thursday, October 5, 2017; Joe Donahue of WAMC will serve as this year's Master of Ceremonies; and WHEREAS, Siena College, under the able leadership of its current President Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D., is an independent Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Loudonville, New York; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1937 by seven Franciscan friars, this outstanding institution is a four-year, coeducational, independent college in the Franciscan tradition; with an academic staff of 317 and administrative staff of 150, it has 3,000 full-time students and offers undergraduate degrees in business, liberal arts, and sciences; and WHEREAS, The college was named after Saint Bernardino of Siena, a 15th-Century Italian Franciscan friar and preacher; St. Bernardine of Siena Friary is located on campus; and WHEREAS, Consisting of 174 acres, the Siena "Saints" motto is "The Education of a Lifetime"; with colors of green and gold, its fight song is "When the Saints Go Marching In" and the mascot is Bernie "Saint" Bernard; and WHEREAS, The Food Pantries for the Capital District has been feeding the hungry since 1979; each year, the food pantries provide groceries for 2.7 million meals; just $1 can provide 6.25 pounds of food to a hungry neighbor; and WHEREAS, There are more than 1 in 10 people struggling with food insecurity or having adequate food resources for a healthy life in the Capital District service area; that is 82,260 people (11.99%); and WHEREAS, Fortunately, the network of more than 60 food pantries last year helped 47,000 people utilized the food pantries for emergency and supplemental food assistance and received enough food for more than 2.7 million meals; and WHEREAS, Unfortunately, there are many more in need who are not able to access the community food pantry resources; the "Filling the Gap" Food Pantry System and Community Needs Assessment and program development is working to better understand community needs and improve the resources of the local food pantry system; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when institutions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Siena College upon the occasion of being named the 2017 Outstanding Community Partner by the Food Pantries for the Capital District; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to President Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D, Siena College.