Sen. Cornyn Visits Tarrant Area Food Bank, Encourages Texans To Help Those In Need Through Donations, Volunteering
Press Release
Sen. Cornyn Visits Tarrant Area Food Bank, Encourages Texans To Help Those In Need Through Donations, Volunteering
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today visited the Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) to meet with staff and volunteers from TAFB and the Texas Food Bank Network. Sen. Cornyn toured the facility to get a firsthand look at their operations and thank them for their efforts to help Texans in need during challenging economic times. TAFB has recorded a 14 percent increase in need during the first quarter of 2008 when compared to a similar period last year.
"Our country is in the midst of trying economic times, and many families on squeezed budgets are having difficulty affording groceries and gasoline. Hundreds of families are still reeling from the effects of Hurricanes Ike and Dolly. Now more than ever, Texans in need are turning to the benevolent assistance offered by non-profits like the Tarrant Area Food Bank and Texas Food Bank Network. But while these organizations are working to help individuals who are struggling, they are facing their own operational challenges as a result of the weakened economy. As the need for assistance grows, food banks and other charitable organizations are pressed for more volunteers and greater donations," Sen. Cornyn said.
"I have and will continue to work on the federal level to put policies in place that assist our state's charitable organizations through tax relief and other incentives. I also encourage all Texans to assist our fellow Texans in need through volunteering or donations, or in any way they can. Texans have a long history of coming together and helping their neighbors through tough times. Through organizations like TAFB we can keep that spirit alive today and help Texans weather this storm and get back on their feet."
Today's visit follows Sen. Cornyn's recent visits to several Texas food banks, including the Houston Area Food Bank, North Texas Food Bank in Dallas, and the Capital Area Food Bank in Austin.
Sen. Cornyn is the lead Republican cosponsor of the Charitable Mileage Deduction Equity Act, S. 3421. This legislation seeks to level the playing field between charitable mileage deductions and business mileage deductions. The charitable mileage tax deduction for individuals who use their personal vehicles for charitable work has not been increased in more than a decade. The Charitable Mileage Deduction Equity Act will place charitable mileage tax deductions on par with business mileage deductions, which are based on a variable rate that is adjusted each year by the Internal Revenue Service.
TAFB supplies food to area hunger-relief charities and social service agencies that serve individuals and families in their 13-county region. The organization also continues to help families impacted by Hurricane Ike. The Texas Food Bank Network was founded in 1986 and represents 18 member food banks and one member food rescue organization that serve all of Texas through 3,600 agencies.
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