What's New

The Worcester County Food Bank has been selected for listing in the 2007 Massachusetts Catalogue for Philanthropy. Learn more here.

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette featured a four-part series on hunger in Central Massachusetts from November 11-14, 2007.

National Anti-Hunger Organization's Statement
On the 2007 Farm Bill Reauthorization (click here)

SENATE PASSES LANDMARK LEGISLATION GENERATING UP TO $250 MILLION DOLLARS IN NEW FOOD DONATIONS FOR HUNGRY AMERICANS

The US Senate voted to extend a new tax incentive for the donation of food to charities as part of the Pension Reform Bill that will generate an estimated more than $250 million in new private sector food donations over the next 24 months. This represents a major victory for America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network, of which the Worcester County Food Bank is a member, food donors and the 25 million Americans - including 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors - our food banks and food-rescue organizations serve each year.

For the first time in the history of the United States, all business entities - including farms, small businesses, and restaurants - will receive a tax incentive to help in the fight against hunger in their communities. Under previous tax law, only C corporations, generally larger companies, were eligible for the enhanced deduction for donations of food. The new law means that through 2007, small businesses, farmers, ranchers and restaurateurs have a real incentive to give food for hunger relief and can deduct from their taxes the value of donated food equal to the basis of donated items plus one-half the fair market value, or two times the basis, whichever is less. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that more than $250 million in new food will be donated for food banks and other charities through this change. This is a great step forward to help ensure that our food banks have enough food available to meet growing requests for assistance.

The Worcester County Food Bank takes pride in being a resource for programs and people in Central Massachusetts who are facing hunger-related issues.

Because food is a most basic human need, issues of hunger and hunger-relief evolve daily. The Food Bank often plays a timely and critical role in addressing these issues.

Whether you are…
• a corporate executive wondering how your company and its workforce can provide relief for nearby hungry residents,
• a local elementary school teacher trying to inspire students to take a responsible role in helping hungry people in their community,
• a local civic organization looking for a way to help collect food for hungry neighbors,
• a head of household looking for tips on healthy foods and recipes for you and your family,

…our "What’s New" page will keep you abreast of a full range of current hunger-related topics and issues.

HUNGER STUDY
The Worcester County Food Bank, in conjunction with a nationwide effort by America's Second Harvest, has just concluded a comprehensive study of the dimensions of hunger in Central Massachusetts.

The results from the study, Hunger in America 2006, are below.
• Full results for Worcester County
• Full results for Massachusetts
• Summary of National results

The results from the 2001 National Hunger Study are below.
• Summary of Local Results (PDF)
• Full Local Results (PDF)
• Summary of National Results (Word)
 

In the news...

Poll Shows:
American Voters Overwhelmingly Care About Hunger and Poverty, and Will Reward Candidates that Make it a Priority.  For the full ten page report, please visit:
www.alliancetoendhunger.org/april_2006/poll.htm

View past newsletters...

Summer 2007