WASHINGTON - Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer visited the Capital Area Food Bank recently in observance of this month's National Hunger Action theme. He recognized a long-time volunteer and toured the facilities and helped sort foods that will be contributed to the DC community. Some of the food was part of the more than 32,000 pounds of food and beverages donated by USDA employees and contractors during a summer long food drive, the Summer Harvest.

"USDA employees and contractors share a compassion for those less fortunate, and I am proud that they've been leading by example through our Summer Harvest food drive", Schafer said. "We do this because we believe no one in America should go hungry." Schafer commended all volunteers who give their time to improve their communities and help those in need.

On behalf of President Bush, Schafer presented a food bank volunteer, Dave Willey, with the President's Volunteer Service Award for his contributions to the Capital Area Food Bank. Mr. Willey, a private investor by trade, has volunteered over 500 hours to the Capital Area Food Bank by assisting in a major capital project, the food bank's expansion. He has contributed considerable advice and financial expertise as a member of the food bank's Building Committee.

USDA employees conducted the food drive from June 2, through August 29, 2008, at several USDA locations in the National Capital Region. The campaign was conducted at a time of the year when donations traditionally decline. USDA provided more than 200 pounds of fresh vegetables like cucumbers, zucchini and summer squash harvested from the demonstration garden on the grounds of USDA's headquarters building.

Sodexho, USDA's food service provider, contributed weekly donations ranging from cases of canned food to cases of pasta from their inventory. Additionally, Canteen Vending, USDA's beverage and snack food vendor, donated eight pallets of beverages, water, and a supply of snack foods.

The Capital Area Food Bank is the largest, public nonprofit hunger and nutrition education resource in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. Each year the food bank distributes 20 million pounds of food, including 6 million pounds of fresh produce, to over 700 partner agencies. The Capital Area Food Bank has served the National Capital Region for 27 years.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, please visit the USA Freedom Corps website at www.volunteer.gov.

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