Bipartisan measure would provide funds to agencies to help store, transport and distribute excess food
WASHINGTON, DC- With food prices rising and many people turning to food banks for help, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and George Voinovich (R-OH) today introduced bipartisan legislation to help move additional food to food banks that have experienced a spike in demand. The legislation would provide funds to agencies to help store, transport and distribute food to food banks, food pantries, emergency shelters and soup kitchens. Currently, many agencies aren’t able to accept additional food due to a lack of resources.
“We are facing a hunger crisis with rising food prices and increasing numbers of Americans finding themselves desperately in need of help to put food on the table for themselves and their families,” said Senator Casey. “Congress can and must do more to make sure that the agencies and groups who help hungry Americans have the resources they need to serve as many people as possible.”
“With some food prices continuing to rise and the economy dipping further into recession, far too many families are struggling to make ends meet and are in desperate need of food assistance,” Senator Snowe said. “Our legislation is going to reinforce the federal government’s commitment to tackling hunger in America and ensure our food banks and programs have access to the resources they need to guarantee food is on the table for our neediest families.”
“I know that Ohio families are hurting. It pains me to see so many of our fellow citizens struggling to keep their jobs and put food on the table,” said Senator Voinovich. “Our social service agencies and food banks are feeling the pain as well, facing serious shortages and delivery challenges in the current economic climate. Congress must do everything in its power to ensure that Americans do not go hungry and that the agencies they rely on for help and food during such difficult times are able to reach the greatest number of needy individuals possible.”
The Bonus TEFAP Assistance Act of 2009 would provide additional funding to states and food assistance agencies to help them pay the costs to store, transport and distribute additional food from the USDA under the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Under the current program, many states and agencies are unable to accept this additional food due to a lack of resources. The additional funding will allow the agencies to accept the excess food and will ensure that it will be able to reach the greatest number of needy individuals.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) helps provide food to low-income individuals. Under TEFAP, state agencies are provided with food commodities, along with additional funding to cover administrative costs such as storage and transportation of food.
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