Senate Resolution No. 747

BY: Senator PERSAUD

COMMENDING The Campaign Against Hunger upon the
occasion of hosting its 12th Annual Planter Awards
Gala, and paying tribute to this year's honorees on
May 3, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities of New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of 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 Campaign Against Hunger upon the occasion of hosting its
12th Annual Planter Awards Gala, and to pay tribute to this year's
honorees on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Giando on the Water in Brooklyn,
New York; and

WHEREAS, This year's honorees are Kate MacKenzie, Executive Director
of the Mayor's Office of Food Policy; Noreen Springstead, President and
CEO of Partnership for a Healthier America; and Karen Washington,
Co-Owner of Rise & Root Farm and Co-Founder, Black Urban Growers; and

WHEREAS, The Campaign Against Hunger was founded in 1998, by Dr.
Melony Samuels to empower its neighbors to lead healthier, more
productive, and self-sufficient lives by increasing access to safe,
nutritious food and related resources; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, The Campaign Against Hunger has grown
from its humble beginnings operating out of a small pantry in a church
basement to meeting some of the day's toughest challenges, such as youth
empowerment, nutrition education, and community engagement-head-on
through its SuperPantry; and

WHEREAS, The Campaign Against Hunger has also served neighbors in
150 zip codes with food and other vital programs and services, and
sought to bring food justice to New York City along the way; and

WHEREAS, The SuperPantry offers its clients hundreds of nutrition
education classes, workshops, and cooking demonstrations each year, and
its urban farms and the Green Teens who maintain them have continued to
infuse heart-healthy fruits and vegetables into food deserts and provide
gainful employment to local youth; and

WHEREAS, In addition, this remarkable organization offers a variety
of social services, including SNAP registration, health insurance
enrollment, and tax filing preparation; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of Dr. Melony Samuels,
The Campaign Against Hunger continues to evolve as food insecurity,
economic inequality, and health disparities continue to plague our
communities; and

WHEREAS, The success of The Campaign Against Hunger is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its Board of Directors and staff, whose
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the institution and the
community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations and individuals who have faithfully served the needs of
their community with diligence and compassionate commitment to improving
the quality and dignity of life in the community are brought to our
attention, 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 Campaign Against Hunger upon the occasion of hosting its
12th Annual Planter Awards Gala, and to pay tribute to this year's
honorees on May 3, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Melony Samuels, CEO/Founder, The Campaign Against
Hunger, and the aforementioned honorees.