Congresswoman Matsui Joins Sacramento Food Bank for Groundbreaking of New Expansion Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 14, 2010
CONTACT: MARA LEE
o: (916) 498-5600/ c: (202) 302-3249
Rep. Matsui Helped Secure $750,000 for Building Construction
CA Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) joined area leaders and community supporters for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sacramento Food Bank's campus expansion. During the ceremony, Congresswoman Matsui highlighted the work of the Sacramento Food Bank in the area and the importance of the $750,000 federal investment in the expansion.
It is so essential, especially during these times of economic hardship, that the federal government helps to support local organizations that provide vital services to our community, said Congresswoman Matsui. I am excited to see how the Sacramento Food Bank is allowed to expand, grow, and better help our most disadvantaged citizens as a result of this funding.
In 2007, Congresswoman Matsui supported a $350,000 federal appropriations request that helped Sacramento County purchase a building and land the Sacramento Food Bank owned. The combination of the federal funds and the money from the County enabled the Food Bank to finance the development of the new campus expansion. The $350,000 was in addition to a $400,000 federal appropriation Rep. Matsui helped secure in 2005 to support the Sacramento Food Bank's expansion project.
What Father Madigan started 34 years ago has grown to provide food assistance for local families, tutoring and childcare for our youth, provided supportive resources and clothing for new mothers, and feeding the needy, added Congresswoman Matsui. I have seen firsthand the good work the Food Bank has done for our community, and have been so pleased to help secure significant amounts of federal funding to support their work and the construction of the new building.
In 1976, Father Daniel Madigan founded the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services (SFBFS) in the basement of his Oak Park church. Today, SFBFS operates in two large facilities in Oak Park and North Sacramento and in 2008 began mobile distribution of groceries. SFBFS provides services ranging from educating the illiterate to feeding the hungry, working to provide the disadvantaged with the tools necessary to become self-sufficient. Each month, the organization serves over 15,000 men, women, and children in the Sacramento area. For information on how to volunteer, please visit sacramentofoodbank.org .
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