Haverhill state Rep. Andy X. Vargas was recently honored by the Greater Boston Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief organization in New England.
Vargas received the organization’s House of Representatives Public Advocate of the Year Award for his support as a co-sponsor of the Breakfast After the Bell legislation.
“As a co-sponsor of the Breakfast After the Bell legislation in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, his work will ensure that all students have access to a healthy breakfast as they start their school day,” said Catherine D’Amato, the food bank’s president and CEO.
The Breakfast After the Bell bill requires all high-poverty K-12 public schools to offer breakfast after the instructional day begins. Expanding the window for school breakfast increases food access and decrease food insecurity for approximately 150,000 children across the Commonwealth.
Vargas applauded Haverhill school Superintendent, Margaret Marotta for “her partnership and courageous leadership in the district, which further allowed us to champion this at the state level.” He added, I’m also thinking about the Haverhill kids I grew up with that started school days without breakfast– this award is for them, too.”
The Public Advocate of the Year Award recognizes public officials who have shown a strong commitment to the provision and protection of emergency food assistance food policy in our Commonwealth and ensuring those struggling with hunger have enough to eat every day.