America's Second Harvest Applauds New Bill to Help Feed Nation's Hungry
Trucking Industry Would Receive Tax Incentive to Transport Donated Food
CHICAGO, June 8, 2007 --The Hunger Relief Trucking Tax Credit Act was introduced in the Senate by Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) this week. The legislation is supported by a bipartisan group of Senators, including Senators Wayne Allard (R-CO), Richard Burr (R-NC), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), and David Vitter (R-SC).
The bill would modify the tax code to provide a modest tax credit for transportation companies that volunteer trucks to transport donated food. Specifically, the legislation would create a 25 cent tax credit for each mile that food is transported for America's Second Harvest and other non-profits by a donated truck.
"This legislation is a vital component of our efforts to increase the amount of food available to hungry Americans," according to Vicki Escarra, Chief Executive Officer of America's Second Harvest. "With so many Americans at risk of going hungry, new avenues such as this to increase food donations are critical. We look forward to working with Senator Dole and others in Congress to advance the legislation," said Escarra.
America's Second Harvest–The Nation's Food Bank Network is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the country with a Network of more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
The America's Second Harvest Network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually; and supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs and Kids Cafes. Last year, the America's Second Harvest Network provided food assistance to more than 25 million hungry people in the United States, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. For more on the America's Second Harvest Network, please visit www.secondharvest.org.
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Contact:
Maura Daly
312.641.6421
Ross Fraser
312.641.6422
