Senate Resolution No. 2411

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 15th Anniversary of Feed Our
Vets of Utica, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
Veterans of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 15th Anniversary Feed Our Vets of Utica, New York, to be
celebrated with an Open House and Barbecue on Wednesday, May 22, 2024;
and

WHEREAS, Since its inception in February 2009, Feed Our Vets has
provided free food assistance to more than 52,000 Veterans and their
family members, distributing 3,850,000 pounds of food; and

WHEREAS, Feed Our Vets is a nonprofit organization whose mission is
to help Veterans in the United States, as well as their spouses, and
children, whose circumstances have left them on the battlefield of
hunger, and to involve the public in fighting Veteran hunger; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization achieves its mission through:
community food pantries which provide regular, free food distributions
to Veterans and their families; Walmart gift card program for food
purchase; distribution of related goods and services; and public
education and outreach; and

WHEREAS, More than 130,000 Veterans are homeless and hungry on any
given night in America; one in three homeless people in America is a
U.S. Military Veteran, and nearly four million Veterans and their
families don't have enough to eat during the year; Feed Our Vets
provides food for Veterans and active-duty members in 39 states; and

WHEREAS, Feed Our Vets solution is to help feed Veterans and
Military members in cities and towns across the United States; while a
brick-mortar pantry in every state is impossible because of significant
operating costs, its Walmart gift card program covers states and
communities who can't support a pantry; and

WHEREAS, With low overhead, Feed Our Vets is able to assist more
hungry families and put more food on their tables; in 2022, 94% of its
expenditures went right back to Veterans and active-duty members in
need; and

WHEREAS, The dedication and sacrifices of our military personnel
ensure our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of
democracy, and is a defender of liberty for peoples throughout the
world; it our duty to give back to these men and women who have given so
much for our country; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
commemorate the 15th Anniversary of Feed Our Vets of Utica, New York;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Feed Our Vets of Utica, New York.