Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement in celebration of Thanksgiving.

“I would like to wish everyone in the Ninth Congressional District of New York a Happy Thanksgiving. Families around this nation will celebrate their particular traditions, as well as our shared tradition of giving thanks for our many blessings.

 “I encourage everyone to remember that there are many people in the United States and here in Brooklyn who will not have the ability to share a traditional dinner with their families. On November 1, 2013 nutrition assistance available from the food stamp program was reduced by hundreds of dollars annually, and many of my colleagues in Congress are trying to reduce the program even more.

“During this holiday season, we have a responsibility to remember that the problem of hunger has continued to increase in our communities. A report by the Food Bank for New York City found that seventy percent of low-income families have difficulty providing food to their children and that, each school day thousands of students have to skip breakfast and attend class with adequate nutrition.

“If you have the resources to donate to a food bank or to volunteer to deliver food, please contribute on behalf of the many families and children who would benefit from your assistance.”

U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.