November 14, 2007

CONTACT: MARTIN INDARS
PHONE: 610-692-2112
mindars@pasenate.com

WEST CHESTER - State Senator Andy Dinniman announced that he will hold “Sharing the Harvest: People of Faith Respond,” a gathering focused on understanding the plight of those in need on Monday, November 19 at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of Valley Forge Christian College in Charlestown Township.

The event offers an opportunity to showcase the vast array of faith-based initiatives that provide assistance to those in need, as well as a chance for networking among agencies and nonprofit groups. More than 50 community and faith-based groups are scheduled to attend the event and have tables where they will distribute information about their programs.

“This is a time for the faith community to come together to assess the needs of today and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow,” Dinniman said. “Particularly we are focusing on meeting the spiritual needs of society’s most vulnerable members - the sick and disabled, the homeless and the hungry. All too often those areas are overlooked in the struggle to meet basic physical needs like food, shelter and medical care.

“We must remember our obligation to share our abundance with those in need,” Dinniman continued. “This is what all of our faith traditions teach us.”

The event will cover a variety of community needs including health and transportation issues, as well the development of an improved resources network.

Senator Dinniman’s “Sharing the Harvest” event also underscores the need for food assistance in the 19th District. In Chester County, between 2002 and 2006, the number of households making more than $200,000 increased by 4 percent, while the poverty rate more than doubled, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau statistics.

“Though we come from different faith traditions, feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless is a responsibility that all of us share, and it is one that we all understand,” Dinniman said. “I've often said that when all is said and done, we will not judged by the wealth we've accumulated or the buildings we've built, but rather by the way we've used our resources to help those most in need.”

At the event, Chester County Cares will announce how much food has been distributed in the past year through its gleaning program.

“Sharing the Harvest: People of Faith Respond” is set for Monday Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of Valley Forge Christian College in Charlestown Township. The event is open to the public. For more information or directions to Valley Forge Christian College, contact Senator Dinniman’s West Chester District Office at (610) 692-2112 or e-mail andy@pasenate.com.

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