Senate Resolution No. 873

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING the Capital Area Council of Churches upon
the occasion of its designation for special
recognition by The Food Pantries on April 16, 2019

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary organizations it wishes to recognize for their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the Capital
Area Council of Churches upon the occasion of its designation for
special recognition by The Food Pantries to be celebrated at its 40th
Anniversary Luncheon on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at Shaker Ridge Country
Club, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, the Urban Ministries Fellowship, a committee of
the Capital Area Council of Churches, called together a group they named
the Emergency Food Task Force; and

WHEREAS, The newly formed organization was sponsored by Capital Area
Council of Churches, Albany County Opportunity, Inc., Uptown Churches,
Shared Ministries, Peace and Justice Commission of the Roman Catholic
Diocese, Albany Council of Community Service, Albany United Methodist
Society, Focus Churches, and St. John's Center; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization, now known as The Food Pantries for
the Capital District, started with only 10 members who dubbed closet
pantries; and

WHEREAS, In 1980, the Emergency Food Task Force, under the auspices
of the Capital Area Council of Churches, consisted of 16 pantries who
served 15,472 people; on May 30th and 31st of the same year, the group
sponsored its first food drive, collecting more than 2,500 food items as
well as $135, and the legacy of helping neighbors in need began; and

WHEREAS, Today, The Food Pantries for the Capital District has grown
tremendously to a coalition of 67 pantries; in 2018 the organization
served more than 57,000 individuals and delivered more than 2.89 million
pounds of food; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations 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 the Capital Area Council of Churches upon the occasion of its

designation for special recognition by The Food Pantries on April 16,
2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Capital Area Council of Churches.