Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell

Proclamation issued at Full Council on March 19, 2012

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WHEREAS, Everyone has experienced or knows someone who has experienced food insecurity; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, 1 in 5 kids is at risk for hunger, 1 in 3 kids is considered overweight or obese, and 13 percent of residents are food-insecure; and

WHEREAS, Estimates show Washington state households who are food insecure rose from 255,000 in 2007 to 288,000 in 2008, a 13 percent increase; and

WHEREAS, King County has a 6 percent food insecurity rate, with 6 in 100 people in King County being unsure of the source of their next meal; and

WHEREAS, Seattle food banks have seen a 31 percent decline in donations, but a 30 percent increase in hungry clients; and

WHEREAS, With the area’s economy still struggling, large numbers of people are facing hunger or food options that, while cheap, aren’t healthy; and

WHEREAS, United Way of King County Hunger Action Week fosters invaluable public discussion and action aimed at creating a hunger-free, healthy community for all of King County;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved, that the Seattle City Council hereby proclaims March 19th to 24th, 2012 shall be

Hunger Action Week