Two groups cite senator’s legislative efforts
Senator Sal DiDomenico was recently honored by two organizations for his advocacy work on Beacon Hill.
The national anti-hunger campaign No Kid Hungry recently named DiDomenico as a 2020 Breakfast Hero contest recipient and he was recently named as a 2020 Legislative Reception Award honoree by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations (MAJF).
DiDomenico was one of only six recipients throughout the United States and was recognized for his sponsorship of Breakfast After the Bell legislation, which was signed into law earlier this month after being overwhelmingly passed by the Massachusetts Legislature. This bill will increase access to school breakfast to over 150,000 low-income students across the Commonwealth by making it part of the school day.
Accessing traditional cafeteria breakfast service can be challenging for many kids. Breakfast after the bell provides breakfast in a way that is more convenient and accessible to students, resulting in more kids starting the day ready to learn.
According to No Kid Hungry, “this year’s inspiring line up of champions come from all walks of life, proof that ending childhood hunger takes all of us. Breakfast powers kids to reach their full potential, but millions of kids in need start each school day on an empty stomach. No Kid Hungry’s breakfast hero award celebrates individuals who are changing that. By using their voices to build awareness, enacting smart policy, raising critical funds and implementing breakfast after the bell programs in schools, they have gone above and beyond to ensure all kids in America are Powered By Breakfast.”
While this year’s JCRC/MAJF Legislative Reception, an annual event that serves as an opportunity for leadership of the Jewish community to engage with state public officials and to advocate for their public policy and budget priorities, including standing with immigrants and refugees, criminal justice reform, economic justice and education, was cancelled in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, DiDomenico recently accepted the aJCRC and MAJF award from his home.
In selecting him as a 2020 Legislative Reception Award recipient, the JCRC and MAJF stated: “From his first term, Senator DiDomenico has been a trusted partner on many of our key priorities, most specifically the charge to provide a ladder to economic opportunity for all people. He was the Senate lead sponsor on the recently enacted “Lift the Cap on Kids” legislation to ensure that families in poverty have access to needed supports and has led efforts to provide job training opportunities for immigrants and refugees.”
“It is an honor to accept this 2020 Breakfast Hero award from No Kid Hungry,” said Senator DiDomenico. “We can have the best teachers, facilities, and technology in our classrooms, but if our kids are showing up for school hungry, they simply are not ready to learn. I am very grateful for the advocacy and partnership of organizations like the No Kid Hungry campaign and Rise and Shine Coalition on our Breakfast After the Bell legislation. Together, we have helped to ensure that thousands of kids across our Commonwealth will starts their days with the nutrition they need, ready to learn.”
“It is an honor to receive this award from the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations,” said DiDomenico. “Throughout my career, I have strived to lift up our Commonwealth’s most vulnerable, and I always know that I have trusted partners in JCRC and MAJF. Whether it be fighting for justice for our immigrant and refugee community, providing support to low-income families, or working towards economic justice for all, I am always proud to stand with JCRC and MAJF. I am deeply grateful for their partnership and advocacy over the years, and I would thank them for this recognition.”