In Pennsylvania, on any given day, over 14,500 people are known to be homeless. Of that, over 4,300 are families, over 800 are veterans, and over 650 are unaccompanied young adults. Additionally, more than 1.76 million Pennsylvanians are currently facing hunger and 507,000 of them are children. 
 

Homelessness and hunger are issues that touch every corner of our Commonwealth. We must recognize the inequities that exist in our society that lead to people being hungry or unhoused. Increased accessibility to affordable housing, more funding for support services, and guaranteeing that kids are provided free meals in school are just a few ways we can fight hunger and homelessness. As we approach the holiday season, we must take time to be thankful; and to consider those who do not have a safe and reliable place to stay or do not have certainty about where their next meal will come from. 
 

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week was started in 1975 in my district at Villanova University. Please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution to raise awareness about the critical issues of hunger and homelessness across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by recognizing November 15-21, 2026, as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.