Author: Brigitte S.

Capitol Hunger Garden Closes for 5th Season

Posted on

President Pro Tempore to Assume Role of Caucus Chair & Oversee Garden in 2015

HARRISBURG — The Chairmen of the Legislative Hunger Caucus and various hunger advocates joined together today for a public event to mark five successful years of the Capitol Hunger Garden and to recognize the efforts of those who have made this initiative possible.  Additionally, they announced a change in leadership of the caucus beginning in 2015.

During a closing ceremony, Legislative Hunger Caucus Chairs Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) and Representative Jake Wheatley (D-19) acknowledged the five successful years served by the Hunger Garden, an approximately 1,000 square-foot area of land adjacent to the State Capitol Building.  They also praised the work of the master gardeners from the Penn State Cooperative Extension and local volunteers, as well as the support from the Department of General Services, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Feeding Pennsylvania, Hunger-Free Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association.

“Today is a significant milestone for the Hunger Garden which for five years has proven to have a positive impact in providing nutrition to Pennsylvanians most in need.  This event is testimony to the outpouring of support received for the garden which speaks volumes to the importance of promoting hunger awareness and addressing food insecurities throughout our communities,” said Brubaker.  “I extend my heartfelt thanks to our master gardeners and volunteers for their selfless acts of kindness and helping to make this garden a reality.”

Wheatley said, “Volunteers and donors here and across the state do so much to reduce hunger, but as legislators we must never forget that state funding has an important role to play as well.”

Since its inception, the garden has annually produced between 700 to 800 pounds of vegetables for low-income residents and approximately 3,700 pounds for the five-year period.  The vegetables are donated to food banks, pantries and local soup kitchens, such as the Downtown Daily Bread located in Harrisburg.  The produce donations prepared 42,000 meals at the soup kitchen since 2010.

In addition to celebrating five years and recognizing the efforts of the garden volunteers, an announcement regarding the future leadership of the Legislative Hunger Caucus was shared.  Beginning in January of 2015, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) will serve as the Senate Chair of the Caucus, as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Hunger Garden.

“Since establishing the Legislative Hunger Caucus and Hunger Garden in 2008, Senator Brubaker has provided excellent vision and leadership for helping to reduce hunger needs in Pennsylvania,” Scarnati said.  “I look forward to working with Representative Wheatley, members of the Caucus and the many dedicated volunteers who help make the garden a success.  Together, we will continue to raise awareness and help fight hunger across our Commonwealth.”

Brubaker founded the Legislative Hunger Caucus five years ago and since that time has worked collaboratively with the Governor’s office and members of the General Assembly.  The caucus is a bipartisan group of state lawmakers who partner with the community to address hunger and its underlying causes.

“I cannot think of a more appropriate person than our Senate leader to continue shepherding this caucus and its mission toward raising hunger awareness and addressing food insecurity,” added Brubaker.

Immediately following the event, master gardeners and volunteers closed the garden for the season.

For more information on the Legislative Hunger Caucus or the Capitol Hunger Garden, visit www.senatorscarnati.com.

CONTACTS:

Kate Eckhart (Sen. Scarnati’s Office)
717-787-7084
Colleen Greer (Sen. Brubaker’s Office)
717-787-4420
Ben Turner (Rep. Wheatley’s Office)
717-787-7895

 

 

Media Advisory: Closing to be Held for 5th Season of Capitol Hunger Garden

Posted on

Announcement Made Regarding Future of Hunger Caucus & Garden

HARRISBURG — Members of the Legislative Hunger Caucus including the Chairmen, Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) and Representative Jake Wheatley (D-19), will hold a public event to mark the closing of the 5th season of the Capitol Hunger Garden on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. directly in front of the garden.

The Chairmen will also be joined by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) for an announcement regarding the future of the Legislative Hunger Caucus, as well as the Capitol Hunger Garden.

Others participating in the event include Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley, members from the Department of General Services, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Feeding America, Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, Downtown Daily Bread, Pennsylvania Legislative Services, Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, master gardeners from the Penn State Cooperative Extension and volunteers.

Immediately following, master gardeners and volunteers will officially close the garden for the season.

In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in the Main Rotunda of the State Capitol Building.

Details on the Legislative Hunger Caucus including membership, advocates, and the Capitol Hunger Garden project can be found by visiting https://pasenategop.com/thehungercaucus/.

CONTACT:

Kate Eckhart (Sen. Scarnati’s Office), 717-787-7084
Colleen Greer (Sen. Brubaker’s Office), 717-787-4420
Ben Turner (Rep. Wheatley’s Office), 717-787-7895

Event Held to Mark Hunger Garden’s 5th Season

Posted on

Caucus Chairmen & Hunger Advocates Highlight Successes, Challenges

HARRISBURG — Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) and Representative Jake Wheatley (D-19), Chairmen of the Legislative Hunger Caucus, held today a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate four successful years of the Capitol Hunger Garden and acknowledge challenges that lie ahead for its fifth growing season.  (Due to the weather conditions, planting in the garden has been postponed.)

During the public event, Chairmen Brubaker and Wheatley joined with their colleagues, hunger advocates, community volunteers and master gardeners from the Penn State Cooperative Extension to mark the next season of the garden.  In addition to praising the support from hunger advocates and the state Department of General Services which is instrumental in the garden’s maintenance, members highlighted efforts put forth by volunteers who plant and harvest vegetables which are donated to food banks, pantries and other local agencies.

“For over four years, this garden has provided an opportunity for individuals to generously donate their time to help feed hungry people from all walks of life in Pennsylvania communities,” Brubaker said. “I was pleased to spearhead this initiative, remain humbled by those who selflessly give of their time, and am hopeful this plot of land will continue to serve as a valuable educational tool and improve the quality of life for many,” said Brubaker.

“This marks the beginning of a fifth year of legislators and staff from both parties and the equally valued community volunteers working together to help Pennsylvanians in need,” Wheatley said. “This garden is an ever-present reminder that too many of our neighbors across the state struggle just to put food on the table.”

Brubaker and Wheatley also recognized the advocates present for the event such as the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Feeding Pennsylvania.  These organizations underscored their ongoing commitment to promoting hunger awareness and addressing food insecurity – the mission of the garden – and echoed the significance of this project.

Joe Arthur, Executive Director of Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, noted:  “It is truly inspiring to work with the Legislative Hunger Caucus Leadership, Penn State Master Gardeners, and volunteers to grow beautiful vegetables for Pennsylvanians in need and also set a wonderful example of how to help in our mission.”

“Today, with one in seven Pennsylvanians at risk of hunger, our food banks throughout the Commonwealth continue to see high levels of demand for emergency food assistance,” said Caryn Long, Executive Director of Feeding Pennsylvania. “Thanks to the abundance of produce harvested annually from the Capitol Hunger Garden, our food banks are able to help meet this need by providing fresh, nutritious foods to Pennsylvanians who might otherwise go without.  In addition to helping to feed those in need, this garden also provides a valuable service by raising awareness about the issue of hunger throughout Pennsylvania.”

Since its inception in 2010, the garden has annually produced over 800 pounds of vegetables for low-income residents.  This year, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Feeding Pennsylvania donated funds to replace equipment for the irrigation and fertilization necessary to operate the garden.  Additionally, the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association contributed funding to purchase seeds and plants.

The Downtown Daily Bread, a soup kitchen located in Harrisburg which serves the hungry, is one of the benefactors of the garden and utilizes the bounty of produce in its meals for the needy and homeless.  However according to the Hunger Caucus Chairs, many food banks and charitable organizations are stretching their resources to assist those individuals most in need; likewise, the Hunger Garden also faces challenges in its day-to-day operations, such as in the recruitment of volunteers, and will continue to do so in the months ahead.

“With continued high rates of hunger across this Commonwealth, it has never been more critical for every Pennsylvanian to do their part to help fight hunger.  That’s why I ask for the support of our colleagues and others from the community to help volunteer with the planting, maintenance and harvest of this garden,” added Brubaker.  “Together, the benefits of this commitment will extend far beyond this land.”

Brubaker founded the Legislative Hunger Caucus four years ago and has since worked collaboratively with Wheatley, the Governor’s office and other members of the General Assembly.  The caucus is a bipartisan group of state lawmakers who partner with the community to address hunger and its underlying causes.

Those interested in donating time to or supplies for the Hunger Garden are encouraged to contact Brubaker at his district office by calling (717) 627-0036.  Progress and updates on the garden can also be found on Twitter at @PAHungerGarden.

CONTACT:

Colleen Greer (Sen. Brubaker’s Office), 717-787-4420 or cgreer@pasen.gov
Ben Turner (Rep. Wheatley’s Office), 717-787-7895 or bturner@pahouse.net

Event Held to Mark Hunger Garden’s 5th Season

Posted on

Caucus Chairmen & Hunger Advocates Highlight Successes, Challenges

 HARRISBURG — Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) and Representative Jake Wheatley (D-19), Chairmen of the Legislative Hunger Caucus, held today a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate four successful years of the Capitol Hunger Garden and acknowledge challenges that lie ahead for its fifth growing season.  (Due to the weather conditions, planting in the garden has been postponed.)

During the public event, Chairmen Brubaker and Wheatley joined with their colleagues, hunger advocates, community volunteers and master gardeners from the Penn State Cooperative Extension to mark the next season of the garden.  In addition to praising the support from hunger advocates and the state Department of General Services which is instrumental in the garden’s maintenance, members highlighted efforts put forth by volunteers who plant and harvest vegetables which are donated to food banks, pantries and other local agencies.

“For over four years, this garden has provided an opportunity for individuals to generously donate their time to help feed hungry people from all walks of life in Pennsylvania communities,” Brubaker said. “I was pleased to spearhead this initiative, remain humbled by those who selflessly give of their time, and am hopeful this plot of land will continue to serve as a valuable educational tool and improve the quality of life for many,” said Brubaker.

“This marks the beginning of a fifth year of legislators and staff from both parties and the equally valued community volunteers working together to help Pennsylvanians in need,” Wheatley said. “This garden is an ever-present reminder that too many of our neighbors across the state struggle just to put food on the table.”

Brubaker and Wheatley also recognized the advocates present for the event such as the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Feeding Pennsylvania.  These organizations underscored their ongoing commitment to promoting hunger awareness and addressing food insecurity – the mission of the garden – and echoed the significance of this project.

Joe Arthur, Executive Director of Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, noted:  “It is truly inspiring to work with the Legislative Hunger Caucus Leadership, Penn State Master Gardeners, and volunteers to grow beautiful vegetables for Pennsylvanians in need and also set a wonderful example of how to help in our mission.”

“Today, with one in seven Pennsylvanians at risk of hunger, our food banks throughout the Commonwealth continue to see high levels of demand for emergency food assistance,” said Caryn Long, Executive Director of Feeding Pennsylvania. “Thanks to the abundance of produce harvested annually from the Capitol Hunger Garden, our food banks are able to help meet this need by providing fresh, nutritious foods to Pennsylvanians who might otherwise go without.  In addition to helping to feed those in need, this garden also provides a valuable service by raising awareness about the issue of hunger throughout Pennsylvania.”

Since its inception in 2010, the garden has annually produced over 800 pounds of vegetables for low-income residents.  This year, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Feeding Pennsylvania donated funds to replace equipment for the irrigation and fertilization necessary to operate the garden.  Additionally, the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association contributed funding to purchase seeds and plants.

The Downtown Daily Bread, a soup kitchen located in Harrisburg which serves the hungry, is one of the benefactors of the garden and utilizes the bounty of produce in its meals for the needy and homeless.  However according to the Hunger Caucus Chairs, many food banks and charitable organizations are stretching their resources to assist those individuals most in need; likewise, the Hunger Garden also faces challenges in its day-to-day operations, such as in the recruitment of volunteers, and will continue to do so in the months ahead.

“With continued high rates of hunger across this Commonwealth, it has never been more critical for every Pennsylvanian to do their part to help fight hunger.  That’s why I ask for the support of our colleagues and others from the community to help volunteer with the planting, maintenance and harvest of this garden,” added Brubaker.  “Together, the benefits of this commitment will extend far beyond this land.”

Brubaker founded the Legislative Hunger Caucus four years ago and has since worked collaboratively with Wheatley, the Governor’s office and other members of the General Assembly.  The caucus is a bipartisan group of state lawmakers who partner with the community to address hunger and its underlying causes.

Those interested in donating time to or supplies for the Hunger Garden are encouraged to contact Brubaker at his district office by calling (717) 627-0036.  Progress and updates on the garden can also be found on Twitter at @PAHungerGarden.

CONTACT:

Colleen Greer (Sen. Brubaker’s Office), 717-787-4420 or cgreer@pasen.gov
Ben Turner (Rep. Wheatley’s Office), 717-787-7895 or bturner@pahouse.net

Media Advisory – Hunger Caucus to Hold Garden Groundbreaking

Posted on

HARRISBURG — Members of the Legislative Hunger Caucus including the Chairmen, Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) and Representative Jake Wheatley (D-19), will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, April 29th at 9:00 a.m. in the Capitol Media Center to kick off the fifth growing season of the Capitol Hunger Garden.  (Due to the anticipated weather conditions, volunteers will postpone planting in the garden.)

Other members from the Legislature will be joining Brubaker and Wheatley as well as representatives from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Feeding America, Downtown Daily Bread, and the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN), and Master Gardeners from the Penn State Cooperative Extension.

Details on the Hunger Garden including membership, advocates, and ways to volunteer can be found by visiting http://hungergarden.pasenategop.com.

CONTACT:

Colleen Greer (Sen. Brubaker’s Office), 717-787-4420 or cgreer@pasen.gov

Ben Turner (Rep. Wheatley’s Office), 717-787-7895 or bturner@pahouse.net

 

 

 

Media Advisory – Brubaker to Host Student Government Seminar for Lancaster County Students

Posted on

HARRISBURG – Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) will host his annual Student Government Seminar at the Mount Joy campus of the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center (LCCTC) on Thursday, March 6, 2014 featuring a mock General Assembly with students serving as “Senators for a Day.”

Approximately 55 high school students from seven schools throughout the 36th Senatorial District will get a glimpse of the functions of state government and how it reacts to public policy issues during the seminar.  The event will also feature participants from state government as well as special interest groups.

The seminar’s format will allow students to serve as legislators and be divided into Senate committees to discuss bills, take positions on legislation, and actually draft laws for the full Senate to consider.  During the afternoon, the Senate will meet to debate and vote on legislation drafted by the following committees: finance, judiciary, and public health and welfare.

Registration for participants begins at 8:00 a.m. in the cafeteria of LCCTC.

CONTACT:

Jenn Frees
(717) 627-0036