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2019 SESSION

19105216D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 935
Offered February 12, 2019
Commending A Simple Gesture - Reston.
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Patrons-- Plum; Senators: Howell and Boysko
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WHEREAS, A Simple Gesture - Reston, a program founded by Bob Schnapp that collects and distributes food to members of the community in need, was honored by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstones, Inc., with a prestigious 2019 Cornerstones of Our Community Best of Reston Award; and

WHEREAS, the Best of Reston awards honor individuals, organizations, and companies that have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to helping others and improving the lives of people throughout the Greater Reston area; and

WHEREAS, A Simple Gesture - Reston was started by Bob Schnapp, a longtime resident of Reston who has served in the United States Department of Energy as an economist for over 35 years, and held other leadership positions in national and international energy agencies; the A Simple Gesture program originally started in California and because of its simplicity and positive mission has been replicated in many communities throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, residents who participate in A Simple Gesture - Reston get a green tote bag which they fill up with nonperishable foods over a two-month period; on the first Saturday of every other month, participants simply place the bag outside their front door, then volunteer drivers pick up the bags and deliver the food to area pantries to help those in need; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Bob Schnapp has supported Reston in many ways, including as a sports coach, a cluster officer, and a volunteer on many community projects; however, his efforts establishing A Simple Gesture - Reston have taken his commitment to Reston to a new level; and

WHEREAS, A Simple Gesture - Reston started in June 2015 with funding from the Shoreshim of Reston congregation, and later the Giving Circle of Hope and the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia, collecting food from just 20 families with a miniscule budget and no advertising, expanding only through word-of-mouth and the continued generosity of volunteers; and

WHEREAS, A Simple Gesture - Reston has now grown to over 870 bi-monthly donors and more than 50 drivers, collecting 15,000 to 20,000 pounds of food each time they go out to support the Cornerstones and LINK food banks, as well as food pantries organized by St. Anne’s Episcopal Church and the South Lakes High School PTSA; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend A Simple Gesture - Reston, founded by Bob Schnapp, for its work to alleviate hunger in the community and on the well-deserved honor as a 2019 Best of Reston award recipient; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to A Simple Gesture - Reston as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the program’s enduring commitment to making Reston a special place to live, work, and play.