PRINTER'S NO. 3756
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
872
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY SHUSTERMAN, GALLOWAY, WEBSTER, YOUNGBLOOD,
HANBIDGE, ROZZI, DRISCOLL, VITALI, NEILSON, HILL-EVANS,
McCLINTON, SANCHEZ, KENYATTA, DONATUCCI, DELLOSO, HOWARD,
GAINEY, KORTZ, GREEN AND READSHAW, MAY 13, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
MAY 13, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Encouraging food donations and recognizing the importance of
liability protections under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan
Food Donation Act and the Donated Food Limited Liability Act
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHEREAS, Many residents of Pennsylvania are experiencing
financial hardships, as well as burdensome worries, relative to
the potential effects that the COVID-19 pandemic could have on
the health and safety of their friends and family; and
WHEREAS, The possibility of contracting COVID-19 is just one
of the strains currently placed on many residents located across
our Commonwealth and nation; and
WHEREAS, In addition to experiencing stress and worry
relative to the potential health implications related to this
virus, many residents are also facing growing concerns with
regard to their personal finances; and
WHEREAS, For many individuals who are now out of work, the
ability to purchase simple necessities may currently be beyond
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their reach; and
WHEREAS, For some individuals and families, the likelihood of
facing food insecurity has grown significantly due to the lack
of a steady and reliable income; and
WHEREAS, It is now more important than ever that individuals
who are able to weather the current economic storm lend a
helping hand to those in need; and
WHEREAS, Given the current circumstances under which many
individuals and families are now living due to social distancing
and the widespread closure of businesses as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic, providing food donations to nonprofit
organizations is extremely important; and
WHEREAS, Many nonprofit organizations located throughout
local communities of this Commonwealth regularly collect and
distribute food donations and other essential items to
individuals and families in need; and
WHEREAS, These nonprofit organizations not only provide
necessary food items and goods through charitable acts, but they
also ease the financial and mental strains of those experiencing
hardships; and
WHEREAS, While many nonprofit organizations have the
capability of providing assistance and goods to local
communities scattered across Pennsylvania, they too rely on the
spirit of giving from individuals who are willing and able to
donate to their cause; and
WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania Department of
Agriculture, before the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting the
Commonwealth, more than 1.5 million residents of this
Commonwealth experienced chronic hunger each day; and
WHEREAS, Since the arrival of COVID-19, Feeding Pennsylvania
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member food banks have reported a significant increase in the
demand for food assistance throughout their respective
communities; and
WHEREAS, When acknowledging the good and charitable efforts
of nonprofit organizations, it is important to also recognize
the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (Public Law
104-210, 110 Stat. 3011) and the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.234,
No.76), known as the Donated Food Limited Liability Act; and
WHEREAS, These laws provide protection to individuals who
donate food in good faith from civil or criminal liability
related to their food donations; and
WHEREAS, Because of these legislative measures, individuals
who are striving to do the right thing by donating food to those
who are less fortunate are guaranteed a level of protection from
liability if something should be wrong with a donated food item;
and
WHEREAS, These laws also provide individuals with a feeling
of comfort and safety when donating food items to nonprofit
organizations that are better equipped to collect, process and
distribute the items to members of their community; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage food
donations and recognize the importance of liability protections
under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and the
Donated Food Limited Liability Act during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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