Cornyn, King Introduce Bill to Promote Volunteerism with Meal Delivery Programs

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced the Delivering Elderly Lunches and Increasing Volunteer Engagement and Reimbursements (DELIVER) Act of 2017, legislation to promote volunteerism within meal delivery programs and help provide meals to more seniors across America.

"For decades, charitable organizations and faith-based groups have helped provide an essential service to some of our more vulnerable in communities across Texas and the country. By making it easier for individuals to offer their time and vehicles, more food can be delivered to folks in need, and new volunteers can be inspired to lend their services," Senator Cornyn said. "I'm proud to partner with Senator King on this important effort."

"In a rural state like Maine, with an aging population, the demand for home-delivered meals for seniors continues to grow. That's why it's critical that the federal government update the tax code to reflect the challenges that volunteers face today in delivering those meals," Senator King said. "If we can lessen the financial burden that volunteers have to shoulder, then we can ensure they will want to continue delivering meals into the future and help seniors throughout the state receive the food they need."

Background on the DELIVER Act:

The DELIVER Act would increase the tax deduction for the charitable use of a passenger automobile to deliver meals to homebound individuals who are elderly, disabled, frail, or at-risk from 14 cents per mile to the standard business rate, which is currently 53.5 cents per mile. By doing so, the legislation would bring equity and fairness to the millions of Americans who volunteer their time and resources to deliver meals and would help ensure that meal delivery programs remain strong and continue to help those in need.

To read a one-page summary of the bill, click here. To read the text of the legislation, click here.

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