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FOOD DRIVE DAY WHEREAS, Rick Minard, President of the non-profit organization, Palouse Cares participated in the ongoing meeting series, Poverty on the Palouse, hosted by the City of Moscow; and WHEREAS, Agencies and networks around the Palouse continue to work to providing for those in need; and WHEREAS, A comprehensive study of poverty by Moscow League of Women Voters in 2012 identified food insecurity as a significant problem in our area; and WHEREAS, On average more than 30% of Moscow students are eligible for free or reduced price federal-funded meal benefits and in some schools that figure is more than 50%; and WHEREAS, State and federal programs that previously helped fill some of the voids have seen program budgets and staffing diminished, and greater pressure placed on local community members to find solutions; and WHEREAS, In response to such unsettling circumstances, Rick suggested holding a local food drive to inspire a large national event; and WHEREAS, It is reasonable that Rick’s dream to have the first Saturday in December be “National Food Drive Day” can begin in Moscow; WHEREAS, In 2013, Palouse Cares helped 8 communities in Latah County with food, toiletries and financial support including donating 20,000 pounds to the City of Moscow Food Banks. NOW THEREFORE, I, Bill Lambert, Mayor for the City of Moscow, do hereby proclaim Saturday December 6, 2014 as Food Drive Day in the City of Moscow, and I urge residents to set non-perishable food items on their porches or by their front doors for pick-up by volunteers on that day, to help feed hungry people in our community, and eventually, around the world. DATED this 1st day of December, 2014. Bill Lambert, Mayor