HUD SECRETARY SERVES LUNCH AT AREA SHELTER
HUD Joins "So Others Might Eat" In Recognition Of National Volunteer Week

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson and Deputy Secretary Roy Bernardi joined volunteers from the local community to serve lunch at So Others Might Eat (SOME), a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides clothing, health care, and serves on average 800 meals daily to the poor and homeless.

"The services that volunteers and organizations like SOME provide are essential to the social and economic well-being of our country," said Jackson. "I hope others are encouraged to serve their communities and get involved during National Volunteer Week."

Since its founding 35 years ago, SOME's mission has been to restore hope and dignity to those in need. In addition to serving meals, SOME continues to receive funding from HUD's Continuum of Care homeless grant program to offer job training, addiction treatment, and counseling services.

Continuum grants fund important services including permanent and transitional housing to homeless person, job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care. In fiscal year 2007, nearly $1.4 billion in Continuum of Care grants were awarded competitively to local programs to meet the needs of their homeless clients, including $101,333 to SOME.

"We are honored to have Secretary Jackson and Deputy Secretary Bernardi here to serve in our dining room," said SOME President, Father John Adams. "In addition to meeting our clients' immediate needs with food, clothing, and healthcare, SOME is committed to addressing the root causes of homelessness. HUD's Continuum of Care grants help us to do that."

"Inspire by Example" is the theme of this year's National Volunteer Week, showcasing the power volunteers have to inspire not only other people to volunteer but also the people they serve. National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of volunteers across the country and to promote existing opportunities for all Americans to participate in volunteer service.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov. For more information about FHA products, please visit www.fha.gov.

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