Congressman Cleaver Discusses Food and Farm Bill
Kansas City – Today Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, toured the food pantry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 40th and Main in Kansas City. While this was not the first time the Congressman has visited this location, organizers and those involved in the massive effort to feed the hungry, expressed concern about status of the Farm Bill and how it could hurt area residents.
“I have and will continue to fight for the passage of a Farm Bill that does what it is supposed to do,” said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II. “And that is to help the rural and hardworking families in this country, especially Missouri’s Fifth District. But as those working in this food pantry pointed out today, the need for a comprehensive and complete Farm Bill extends to all parts of our community.”
St. Paul’s pantry serves hundreds of people every week, including children and the elderly. Their ability, as well as that of many other local organizations, to provide secondary food assistance is heavily dependent on resources provided by state and federal food programs. These programs, in turn, depend on components of the Farm Bill.
The current Farm Bill expires on September 30th. The Congressman has vowed to continue advocating for passage of a Farm Bill that will support farmers, ranchers and producers, as well as those in urban communities, who rely on these programs to help feed their families.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee. Congressman Cleaver also serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.