Congressional Candidate Byron DeLear Tours Area Foodbank Amid Economic Crisis
Economy and Rising Fuel Costs Squeeze Foodbank Resources; Missouri Families
St. Louis, MO, June 26, 2008
Democratic Candidate for Congress Byron DeLear (
www.DeLearForCongress.org ) toured the St. Louis Area Foodbank to see first hand how the area non-profit is serving the community in light of a tough economy and soaring transportation costs.
“With the many challenges families in Missouri ’s 2nd District are already facing we need to move swiftly to provide immediate relief from these escalating gas and food prices. Action has to be taken now,” said Byron DeLear.
The St. Louis Area Foodbank serves the entire St. Louis region, providing food for over 500 food pantries. Each year, the Foodbank distributes more than 13 million pounds of food to feed hungry people within the St. Louis region.
Due to the slowing economy, demand for food has increased by 15% this year. At the same time, transportation costs have increased significantly. Just in the first four months of 2008, transportation costs for the St. Louis Area Foodbank have increased 100%.
"In meeting with Byron, I could tell he has a great deal of compassion for people in need. He will help in whatever capacity he can, in and out of politics,” said Matt Dace, Associate Director of the St. Louis Area Foodbank.
Fortunately for the St. Louis Area Foodbank and food banks across the county, Congress was able to override President Bush’s veto of the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill provides $50 million to address immediate food pantry shortages and 1.26 billion dollars for The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
“This is so important with the recent flooding,” said DeLear. “Many struggling families in Missouri and all of the Midwest will need the aide from the farm bill over the next year as they rebuild their homes, their communities and their lives.”
For additional information on DeLear for Congress, please visit
www.DeLearForCongress.org
