LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley
upon the occasion of receiving the Quality of Life Award from Pattern
for Progress on November 5, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the practice 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 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
the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley upon the occasion of receiving the
Quality of Life Award from Pattern for Progress at its Annual Awards
Reception to be held on Thursday, November 5, 2009, at Anthony's Pier 9,
New Windsor, New York; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1965, Pattern for Progress is a not-for-profit
policy, planning, advocacy and research organization dedicated to
preserving and enhancing the quality of life for Hudson Valley residents
through regional solutions; and
WHEREAS, The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley is being recognized by
Pattern for Progress for meeting some of the most daunting challenges
brought by this troubled economy, by continuing to find new sources of
support and creative strategies to help 370 agencies in their daily
fight to solve hunger in the region; and
WHEREAS, The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley is dedicated to alleviat-
ing hunger, while preventing the waste of wholesome food; it is a branch
of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and a member of Amer-
ica's Second Harvest, the national food bank network; and
WHEREAS, The Regional Food Bank, based in Latham, New York, was
created by a group of food pantry coordinators and anti-hunger advocates
which began its operation in June of 1982; at that time, pantries, soup
kitchens, and shelters for the homeless were experiencing a tremendous
increase in the number of people requesting emergency food assistance;
and
WHEREAS, To serve agencies in the lower Hudson Valley, food was
initially transported from the Regional Food Bank and distributed off
the backs of trucks at a handful of member agency locations in the
Hudson Valley area; as the need for food and agency membership
increased, a physical presence was deemed necessary for greater effi-
ciency and food safety; and
WHEREAS, As a result, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley was founded
in 1990, in Newburgh, New York; this branch warehouse allowed increased
donations from food companies and improved service to member agencies in
the lower Hudson Valley area; and
WHEREAS, In 1994, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley outgrew its rent-
ed Newburgh location and moved to a larger, improved facility in Milton,
New York; member agency numbers continued to grow and the amount of food
distributed increased steadily; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, a 55,000 square foot warehouse in Cornwall-on-Hud-
son, New York, was donated to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley; this
location also houses the Food Bank's administrative offices; and
WHEREAS, Working in partnership with the food industry, the Food Bank
of the Hudson Valley collects large donations of unmarketable but still
edible food, and distributes it to charitable agencies feeding hungry
people in a six county region; and

WHEREAS, In 2002, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley provided more
than six million pounds of food to over 350 member agencies in Orange,
Ulster, Dutchess, Rockland, Sullivan, and Putnam counties; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, in conjunction
with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, serves over 930
member agencies in 23 counties from the Canadian border to the Westches-
ter border; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
recognize the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, for its unwavering commit-
ment to the citizens of the Hudson Valley, as it provides an uncompro-
mising standard of excellence in the delivery of superlative community
service; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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 the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley upon the occasion of receiv-
ing the Quality of Life Award from Pattern for Progress on November 5,
2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley.