The Franklin News-Post
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Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
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Staff Photo by Joel Turner:
Fifth District Congressman TomﾠPerriello, who has co-sponsored a bill to make permanent a tax incentive for farmers to donate food to charities, talks with William Hefley, who donates apples to Heavenly Manna. |
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
By JOEL TURNER - Staff Writer
Fifth District Congressman TomﾠPerriello visited the Heavenly Manna food bank Monday to highlight the need for assistance for food banks and how farmers can be part of the solution.
Perriello is co-sponsor of a bill that would expand and make permanent a tax incentive for farmers to donate excess or gleaned food to charity and food banks.
The demand for food at food banks has increased during the past year because of the recession.
Joyce Sigmon, director of Heavenly Manna, told Perriello that the food bank is now providing food to 700 to 800 families a month, up from 400 to 500 a year ago.
"As more Americans are turning to food banks and pantries for help during this recession, we have a moral obligation to meet their needs however we can," Perriello said.
Farmers can be an even bigger part of the solution to the crisis of hunger, said Perriello (D-Albemarle County).
Under current law, farmers who donate excess food to food banks or charity are eligible for a tax deduction equal to its full market value. But this law is scheduled to expire for some farmers at the end of this calendar year.
Perriello's bill would permanently extend this deduction for contributions of food inventory and change how the tax credit is calculated to make it easier for farmers to qualify.
"These tax breaks would provide much needed additional resources to food banks and soup kitchens," Perriello said.
The Farm Bureau has endorsed the legislation, saying some farmers already donate food to charitable organizations that feed the hungry.
"Many more would do so if they were able to bear the costs of harvesting, processing and transportation," the Farm Bureau said.
Perriello toured Heavenly Manna and talked with Sigmon, who told him that the food bank was established in 1991.
Perriello also talked with William Hefley, who donates apples to Heavenly Manna.
While Perriello toured the food bank, volunteers at Heavenly Manna boxed up food that had been donated by churches, clubs and individuals. |
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