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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.

ABOUT THE SERIES

The background: Despite myriad federal and state assistance programs, hunger is on the rise in Central Massachusetts. This week, the Telegram & Gazette examines the problem from the perspective of the families it affects and the agencies and individuals working to find a solution.

11/11/07: As Washington politicians debate ways to fight hunger, working families struggle to keep food on the table.

11/12/07: Hunger is not just an urban problem. With costs of food and fuel rising, more suburban families are visiting food pantries and seeking federal assistance.

11/13/07: Nutritional deficiencies that come with hunger can have serious effects on health and learning.

11/14/07: More than 200 food pantries and soup kitchens across Central Massachusetts offer meals and more.

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

Summer 2006



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