Check-off for food banks
The economy is throwing more Hoosiers out of work and into poverty. Food pantries throughout East Central Indiana are reporting increases of 35% and more in new people needing food assistance. Please support Senate Bill 281 authored by Senator Errington and co-sponsored by Senators Kenley, Simpson, Breaux, and Skinner, which allows Indiana’s tax payers to voluntarily contribute some or all of their state tax return to the Indiana food bank trust fund.
The bill calls for a check-off on the Indiana State Tax form. This check off would allow anyone filing a tax return to make a donation to Indiana food banks. Donations in this manner result in $300,000 to $400,000 annually in other states.
Testimony was provided during the Appropriations Committee meeting on January 15. Chairman Luke Kenley delayed the vote for later consideration.
Committee members expressed concern that such a check-off would want to be replicated by other charities throughout the state. However, Indiana food banks supply many of those charities already with much needed food and grocery products to support their missions and provide relief to their respective budgets. Helping Indiana’s food banks feed Indiana’s growing number of hungry Hoosiers is timely and compelling.
Feeding Indiana’s Hungry is the state food bank association. All nine regional food banks in the state belong to the association. Together this network of food banks reaches the bar of critical mass in by serving hungry Hoosiers in every county of the state through thousands of pantries and meal programs.
One senator was concerned that such a donation mechanism would thin out other forms of donations. This concern is not borne out by other state associations that have utilized such a check off. Locally we have found that many avenues are needed to reach people interested in giving to our cause. Rather than decrease donations, an additional way to donate results in more donations.
Objections were expressed by the head of the Department of Revenue. Mr. Conley thought that any options added to the income tax forms will result in additional errors and may result in delayed refunds. We have complete confidence in the DOR’s ability to handle such concerns in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Feeding Indiana’s Hungry is the logical recipient of the funds for dispersal throughout the state. The association is experience in handling state funds. Check-off funds will be used to help Indiana food banks feed more hungry Hoosiers.
Readers are encouraged to contact members of the Senate Allocation Committee to voice their support of SB 281.
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2009
R. Senator Luke Kenley, Chair
Phone: Business: 317-773-2980 Senate: 800-382-9467 or 317-232-9400
Counties Served Hamilton, Madison, Grant, Tipton
R. Senator Gary Dillon, R.M.
Phone: 800-382-9467
Counties Served Whitley, Wabash , Huntington , Allen, Grant, Kosciusko
R. Senator Phil Boots
Phone: Senate: 800-382-9467 or (317) 232-9400 Email: S23@in.gov
Counties Served Boone, Clinton , Fountain, Hendricks, Montgomery and portions of Warren
R. Senator Brandt Hershman
Phone: toll-free 1-800-382-9467 E-mail: S7@in.gov
Counties served Carroll, Clinton, Howard, Jasper, Tippecanoe, and White
R. Senator Teresa Lubbers
Phone 800-382-9467
Counties Served Hamilton and Marion
R. Senator Patricia Miller
Phone 800-382-9467
Counties Served Marion and Johnson
R. Senator Ryan Mishler
Phone 800-383-9467
Counties Served Kosciusko, Marshall, St. Joseph, Elkhart
R. Senator Tom Wyss
Phone: 1-800-382-9467 or 317-232-9451 (Senate)
Counties Served Allen
D. Senator John Broden, R.M.M.
Indiana Senate District 10 encompasses portions of St. Joseph County including South Bend and Mishawaka.
D. Senator Lindel Hume
Indiana Senate District 48 encompasses portions of Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Martin, Orange and Pike Counties.
D. Senator Earline Rogers
Indiana Senate District 3 encompasses portions of Lake County. District 3 communities include Gary, Hobart, Merrillville and Lake Station.
D. Senator Karen Tallian
Indiana Senate District 4 encompasses portions of northern Porter County and portions of Ross and St. John townships in Lake County.