Arizona food banks struggle in battle against hunger
Nov 25, 2014, 6:00 AM | Updated: 6:00 am
PHOENIX — Congress has not made the battle against hunger easier for Arizona food banks.
The America Gives More Act would continue to allow large food manufacturers to get a federal tax credit for donations to food banks across the country.
“It’s already been passed by the House. We are hoping it passes the Senate during this lame-duck session,” said Brian Simpson, communications director for the Association of Arizona Food Banks. “It has historically been passed since 1976, enjoyed bi-partisan support, but it’s expired at the moment.”
According to the National Council of Nonprofits, Congress has approved each of the expired giving incentives multiple times in the past, but only on a temporary basis. Each incentive has proven to be effective, yet Congress repeatedly lets them expire, creating uncertainty around giving.
Currently, nearly 1 in 5 Arizonans and more than 1 in 4 Arizona children struggle with hunger and poverty. That’s 17.8% percent and 28.2 percent respectively.