PRINTER'S NO. 2211
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
486
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY BOSCOLA, ALLOWAY, FONTANA, FARNESE, BROWNE,
BREWSTER, DINNIMAN, SABATINA, SCHWANK, TEPLITZ,
RESCHENTHALER, GREENLEAF AND COSTA, OCTOBER 25, 2016
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 25, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of November 2016 as "Food Pantry Donation
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Many residents of this Commonwealth are in a
continuous struggle to provide food for themselves and their
families and this struggle, also known as food insecurity, can
result in hunger, malnutrition and, in some cases, starvation;
and
WHEREAS, Since the overall health of a person is dependent
upon a proper diet, hunger and malnutrition can lead to physical
and cognitive impairments in children and create a host of
health-related problems in adults; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of a network of community-based
food banks and food pantries can reduce the prevalence of food
insecurity and offset the adverse effects of hunger and
malnourishment; and
WHEREAS, Food banks and food pantries, while laudably
attempting to reduce that figure, still fall short in providing
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adequate food supplies to hungry residents of this Commonwealth;
and
WHEREAS, Charitable food organizations, including food banks
and food pantries, have responded to food insecurity in this
Commonwealth by accepting food donations and providing hot
meals, groceries and information on government assistance
programs to at-risk adults and families; and
WHEREAS, A greater public awareness of food insecurity and
the impact food insecurity has on the residents of this
Commonwealth is essential to encourage donations to local food
banks and pantries in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 25 years ago, the General Assembly amended
the Judicial Code to provide for reduced liability for damages
from donated food and grocery products; and
WHEREAS, This "Good Samaritan" provision, under 42 Pa.C.S. ยง
8338, allows for restaurants, grocery stores and other entities
that produce and sell food to donate their excess to food banks
and, unless negligence or willful provision of expired food can
be proven, to be held free of liability in a civil lawsuit if a
person should unfortunately become ill from the donated food;
and
WHEREAS, Because of the excess of consumable food being
disposed while our friends and neighbors starve, it is necessary
to draw attention to this provision in the Judicial Code and
encourage businesses such as restaurants to take advantage of
"Good Samaritan" provisions to reduce their food waste and help
feed our communities; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of November
2016 as "Food Pantry Donation Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it
further
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RESOLVED, That restaurants and grocery stores consider
donating excess food and grocery products to charitable food
organizations, including food banks and food pantries.
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