Senate Resolution No. 1757

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger upon
the occasion of hosting its 8th Annual Planter Award
Dinner, and paying tribute to this year's honorees
on May 2, 2017

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 Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger upon the occasion of hosting
its 8th Annual Planter Award Dinner, and to pay tribute to this year's
honorees; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Tuesday, May
2, 2017; the theme for this year's event is entitled "Feed NYC Forward,"
symbolizing the Campaign's efforts to provide food to those in New York
City by advancing its efforts of ending food insecurity for all New
Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, This will be done by taking a more innovative aggressive
approach to combating poverty one person at a time; Bed-Stuy Campaign
Against Hunger will meet the increasing demands of feeding those in need
in a healthy manner by developing new strategies which will educate
people about nutrition, make its resources more accessible, provide
extended programs and service, and of course feed more people; and

WHEREAS, The main premise of Feed NYC Forward is based on "Our
Hunger to End Hunger," and each and every staff member will do
everything possible to see this dream become a reality; and

WHEREAS, This year's honorees are Dr. Olajide Williams and Richard
Roberts; Dr. Olajide Williams is the founder of Hip Hop Public Health;
this vital organization uses music as the message, and today's popular
artists as messengers to reach economically disadvantaged elementary
school aged children with an innovative array of media tools designed to
improve health literacy and foster positive behaviors; and

WHEREAS, Richard Roberts holds the position of Managing Director of
Red Stone Equity, a privately owned real estate finance and investment
company which provides innovative financial products and services to the
multi-family housing industry; and

WHEREAS, Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger (BSCAH) was established in
1998 to holistically serve the growing number of families facing hunger
and, recognizing and understanding that the fight to end hunger extends
beyond canned goods, BSCAH not only distributes food, it empowers
families, providing information and supportive services which will give
both strength and dignity to the community; and

WHEREAS, BSCAH continues to serve many individuals monthly at its
SuperPantry, located in the heart of the Bedford-Stuyvesant community of
Brooklyn; the number of clients it serves continues to grow and,
tragically, each day it serves more and more people in dire need; 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 Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger upon the occasion of hosting
its 8th Annual Planter Award Dinner, and to pay tribute to this year's
honorees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger, Dr. Olajide Williams
and Richard Roberts.