INDIANAPOLIS – The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, which was recently signed into law by President Barack Obama, includes a tax incentive program for private sector food donations to charities for 2011.

            Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, said the effort could provide 78 million additional meals for hungry Americans over the next two years.

            Bryant said the program could have a big impact in Indiana where 11 food banks provide 700,000 Hoosiers with meals.

            “At a time when many food banks across the country are most in need of donations, Congress renewed a critical provision that allows all business entities – including farms, small businesses and restaurants – to continue to receive a tax incentive to help fight hunger in their communities,” said Bryant. Until the bill was signed into law, only larger companies were eligible for the enhanced deduction for donations of food.

            “This is a big step forward to help ensure that the member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry have adequate food available to meet the growing need for assistance,” said Bryant. “On behalf of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and all of our supporters, I am extremely grateful that Congress recognized the challenges faced by food banks and the growing number of people who need food during the current economic crisis.”