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WHEREAS, An estimated 100 million people worldwide are homeless and over 15,000 people are homeless in the state of Pennsylvania. Statistics also show that children under the age of 18 account for approximately 39 percent of the homeless population.
WHEREAS, About 1.4 million people, or one in ten Pennsylvania households don't have enough food in their homes to eat nourishing meals. About 336,000 of those people or 3 percent of households go hungry because they can't afford food. Pittsburgh's food bank feeds 120,000 people each month and serves 350 soup kitchens and food pantries in Western Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, 21 percent of Pittsburghers have an income below the poverty line compared to 12 percent of Pennsylvania residents. Since 2000, the poverty rate in Allegheny County has risen 2 percentage points to about 11 percent. Moreover, about 1 million people statewide received more than $1 billion through food stamps.
WHEREAS, Adam Brok, through internships and volunteer experiences, became increasingly concerned with the issues of hunger, homelessness, and poverty. He saw the negative effects that poverty and hunger had on children and Adam decided to devote his time to making a difference; and,
WHEREAS, on August 1, 2010 Adam will set off on a 22-day walk from the fountain at Point State Park and will end at Love Park in downtown Philadelphia on August 25; and,
WHEREAS, Adam is walking across the state to raise awareness about hunger and homelessness and to raise money for several organizations along the route that work to alleviate these problems including the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, Central PA Food Bank, Philabundance and Project H.O.M.E; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend Adam Brok for his diligent work in promoting awareness and support of hunger, homelessness and poverty issues throughout the state of Pennsylvania; and,
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