GMA Gives Nod to Legislation to Boost Charitable Giving

WASHINGTON -- The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) yesterday endorsed legislation that will increase charitable donations to such hunger relief organizations as America's Second Harvest.

The CARE Act, introduced this week in the 108th Congress by Sens. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., and Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., deals with the long-term needs of charitable organizations by offering new incentives for individuals and companies to up their contributions. For instance, the prospective law would provide farmers and food companies with new incentives to donate an estimated $2 billion worth of products -- the equivalent of providing 878 million meals over 10 years -- along with current donations.

"The food industry has a long-standing commitment to eliminating hunger in America, but more can be done," said GMA's director of federal affairs, Patrick Lehman. "By creating new incentives for charitable giving, the CARE Act will help ensure that food banks have enough to help families impacted by the recent hurricanes, as well as many others who are simply struggling to make ends meet and to put meals on the table."

GMA member companies employ more than 2.5 million workers in all 50 states and account for more than $680 billion in sales.
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