Bill would make it easier for schools to donate to food banks

With donations struggling to keep pace with the demand for food at area food banks, Action in the Community Through Service executive director Frances Harris would welcome any additional support.
Thanks to Rep. Frank R. Wolf, R-10th District, she may get it.

On Tuesday, Wolf proposed a bill, HR 1403, that would amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require schools participating in the school lunch program to donate any excess food to local food banks.

According to Harris, the Dumfries-based charity saw a more than 30 percent increase in need from local residents. Conversely, donations from this February, compared to last February, is up only 24 percent.

“There’s no magic bullet, unfortunately, but every little bit helps,” Harris said.

The bill will be heard by the Committee on Education and Labor at a yet-to-be-determined date. 

According to Wolf, there is confusion among school districts as to what they can do in regards to food donations. There is a perception that federal regulation doesn’t permit the schools to make donations to food banks.

In 1996, Congress passed the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act, which protects donors who give to food banks in good faith from all liability.  This law has helped encourage many businesses and civic organizations to donate more and to build connections with food agencies. 

But many school districts have been unwilling to donate excess food, primarily due to administrative resistance and a misperception that federal regulation doesn’t allow it, Wolf stated. Prince William County Schools don’t currently donate excess food to area food banks.

According to school spokeswoman Irene Cromer, the school system “plans its food purchases and daily service very carefully” and “have been very successful in minimizing waste.”

The schools also participate in two annual food drives for separate organizations in the county, said Cromer.

Wolf recently came and spoke about this need at Securing Emergency Resources through Volunteer Efforts in Manassas. In 2008, SERVE contributed $1.2 million worth of donated food to more than 700 households.

“While the region’s food banks typically thrive at Thanksgiving and Christmas, they are struggling to meet today’s demand and need help,” Wolf said Feb. 27 at the gathering at the SERVE food warehouse.

SERVE president Cheri Villa said the donations are keeping pace with the demand but because the demand is so high, the organization has had a difficult time distributing these donations.
Still, the more healthy food for the banks, the better.

“Schools have to stand by nutritional guidelines so the impact [of this bill] could be tremendous to us,” said Villa. “It could mean things like more protein ... dairy products, milk, things like that, which would be wonderful.”

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-878-8062.