Visit from USDA Official to Mark National Hunger Awareness Day
Number of Food-deprived Americans is Growing

   SAN DIEGO — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Administrator for the Food Stamp Program Kate Coler will tour St. Vincent de Paul Village, 1501 Imperial Avenue, on Thursday, June 5, at 8:30 a.m. A news conference will be held at the same location at 9:30 a.m.

   The tour will be led by Village President, Father Joe Carroll, and lands on a date significant to both groups: National Hunger Awareness Day.

   "We’re gratified the USDA is visiting St. Vincent’s and appreciate the fact that it recognizes our organization as a leader in the fight to end hunger," says Father Joe. "It’s our sincere hope that Ms. Coler will walk away from this tour knowing we stand by her side in her efforts to educate and create awareness about hunger and the millions of people affected by it."

   The tour will focus primarily on the Village’s Meal Program, which prepares as many as 4,000 plates of food daily for residents of the facility, the homeless and underserved members of the community. St. Vincent’s serves more than one million meals each year and its Meal Program is funded in part by a grant from the USDA.

   Coler, in addition to touring the facility, will discuss food-stamp access and resources available to the general public – issues of vital importance as the number of Americans facing hunger continues to grow.

   For more information on Thursday’s visit or news conference, call (619) 525-1608 or for more information on National Hunger Awareness Day, visit www.hungerday.org.

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