WASHINGTON   –  Citing new U.S. Department of Agriculture figures showing 35.5 million Americans at some point have trouble putting food on their tables, U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to boost donations to non-profit organizations from federal agencies with food service facilities.

“Hunger is a debilitating problem across the country, and the new figures from USDA bear that out.  In Missouri, one in eight households experience hunger at some point in the year and a third of those have frequent trouble getting nutrition,” Emerson said.  “We are a nation of plentiful agriculture and a basic impulse to help our neighbor in need, and my legislation identifies an opportunity for government to help.”

The Emerson bill, HR 4220, would require federal agencies of the executive branch who serve food on their premises to encourage the donation of excess food to non-profit organizations.

“From football games to rock concerts, large events have their liability for food donations lifted under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act, protecting their good intentions from lawsuits.  This bill would expand the universe of food donations and benefit Americans in need during a time when hunger is not only prevalent in America, it’s also growing,” Emerson said.