Elizabeth Dole

“ Private organizations and individuals are doing a great job – but with very limited resources. One of the single largest concerns for gleaners is transportation – how to actually get food to those in need. To help address this problem, I am proud to reintroduce today the Hunger Relief Trucking Tax Credit Act, which would change the tax code to give transportation companies tax incentives for volunteering trucks to transfer gleaned food. Specifically, my bill would create a 25-cent tax credit for each mile that food is transported for hunger relief efforts by a donated truck and driver. ”

“ As a result of hunger, these children have higher levels of chronic illness, depression and behavior problems. This is a travesty that can and must be prevented, and school feeding programs provide a critical means to this end. The National School Lunch Program feeds 30 million children in more than 100,000 schools each day. While reduced price meals are available to students whose family income is below 130 percent of the poverty level, state and local school board members have informed me that many families struggle to even pay this fee. ”

“ Today is the Sixth National Hunger Awareness Day – a day to reflect on the fact that in this nation alone more than 35 million people are experiencing hunger or are at risk for hunger. It is also a day to recognize the tremendous efforts of individuals who graciously give their time and resources to help those in need.
Hunger is far too prevalent, but I think Washington Post columnist David Broder hit the nail on the head when he wrote: “America has some problems that defy solution. ”

“ In Deuteronomy 15:7, the Bible tells us, “If there is among you a poor man, one of your brethren, in any of your towns within your land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother.” ”

“ Successful FEED Act-type programs already exist. For example, in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Community Culinary School recruits students from social service agencies, homeless shelters, halfway houses and work release programs. And just around the corner from here, 25 students recently began training in the DC Central Kitchen’s 68th culinary job training class. This is a model program, which began in 1990, and it is always a great privilege to visit the Kitchen and meet with the individuals who have faced adversity but are now on track for a career in the food service industry. ”

“ In Biblical times, farmers were encouraged to leave crops in their fields for the poor and for travelers. It’s a practice we should be utilizing much more extensively today – considering that in this country, 27 percent of all the food produced annually is lost at the retail, consumer and food service levels. This means we are wasting about 3,044 pounds of good food every second! ”