Committee on Finance City Council Meeting, January 21, 2015 Alderman Brendan Reilly Consent Calendar Resolution
RESOLUTION
Declaring February 17, 2015 "Food Checkout Day" in the City of Chicago.
WHEREAS, Food Checkout Day was established in the mid-1990's to recognize the connection between farmers and the safe, nutritious food source they cooperatively grow; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau® has celebrated Food Checkout Day by raising cash and food donations for Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC®-CNI) since 2001; and
WHEREAS, Food Checkout Day will again be celebrated at the Ronald McDonald House near Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, since 2001 Cook County Farm Bureau® members have donated 360 hours; 58,806 pounds of food; contributed $87,149 in cash donations; and 1,729 pounds of pop tabs to support Chicagoland's five Ronald McDonald Houses; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Farm Bureau® families and partners have donated enough food to feed almost 66,000 families;
WHEREAS, Cook County Farm Bureau® members and partners have joined together to feed 75,000 people as part of this year's Food Checkout Day;
WHEREAS, RMHC®-CNI continues to care for families of children with complex medical issues by providing a "home away from home" to keep families together while their child is receiving medical treatment far from home; and
WHEREAS, every night, 153 families heal together because of the comfort, compassion, and community at the five Ronald McDonald Houses and three Ronald McDonald House family rooms; and
WHEREAS, Food Checkout Day recognizes the connection between farmers and the healthy and nutritious food they grow and care for; and
WHEREAS, the 46,000 members of the Cook County Farm Bureau® including 1,000 farmer members recognize the importance of producing a safe, nutritious food using environmentally sustainable practices; and
WHEREAS, Cook County farmers recognize the need for better access throughout Cook County to fresh food; and
WHEREAS, despite cash and non-perishable donations there is increased need at all five of RMHC®-CNI Cook County houses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chicago City Council recognize Tuesday, February 17 as Food Checkout Day and salute the efforts of the Cook County Farm Bureau® and the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana for their efforts to feed those individuals and families in need.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy be tendered to the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana and the Cook County Farm Bureau® for their efforts to feed those individuals and families in need.