The need for food pantries and food donations grows every year, organizers at the Greater Pittston Food Pantry said Tuesday.
To encourage donations during the holiday season, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey stopped by the food bank to advocate for legislation that would offer businesses tax incentives in exchange for their food donations.
“This is legislation that has been in effect before,” the Democrat said to a small group of food bank supporters and representatives from the Commission on Economic Opportunity.
“We know this works,” he said.
The Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act would extend the tax incentives available to corporations that donate food to all businesses including small businesses, farmers, ranchers and restaurant owners.
Mr. Casey said the act has a “significant bipartisan consensus” in the senate due to the widespread issue of hunger in all communities.
“We all have a great concern about this,” Mr. Casey said. He hoped to see the legislation pass by the end of the year.
According to a 2012 study conducted by Feeding America to “Map the Meal Gap,” 14.5 percent of families in Luzerne County and 14 percent of families in Lackawan-
na County are considered food insecure, meaning they lack access to a sufficient amount of food.
Food Pantry Coordinator Peggy Burke said she has seen the need growing firsthand. Six years ago she said the pantry fedd about 45 families per week. Now that number has risen to about 80 families in the Greater Pittston area.
“Every year it increases,” Ms. Burke said. “We average five new families a week.”
After Mr. Casey spoke, Ms. Burke introduced Kathi Davis, a home stylist from Raymour and Flanigan in Wilkes-Barre who recently coordinated a food drive for the Greater Pittston Food Pantry.
Ms. Davis explained her belief that all businesses should use their “marketing reach” to help their communities.
“Hunger is a community problem,” she said. “It is up to the businesses in the community to support the community.”
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