William L. Clay: “Mr. Speaker, S. 2420, the Federal Food Donation Act, is a modest measure designed to help address a very large problem…”

“Mr. Speaker, S. 2420, the Federal Food Donation Act, is a modest measure designed to help address a very large problem, hunger in America. In 2005, 25 million people in this country, including 9 million children, had to rely on soup kitchens and other charitable feeding programs to help meet their nutritional needs. S. 2420 is very similar to legislation introduced by Representative Jo Ann Emerson, H.R. 4220, which passed the House on a voice vote last December. It requires Federal agencies to include in their food service and space rental contracts a provision which encourages contractors to donate any surplus wholesome food to nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to the hungry. This bill builds on the work of some innovative nonprofit organizations and think tanks that have been conducting similar programs in the private sector. The bill also includes provisions which would ensure that cost of collecting, transporting and storing donated food would not be borne by the Federal Government, and that executive agencies and contractors would be protected from civil or criminal liability. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.”