adequate food supplies to hungry residents of this Commonwealth;
and
WHEREAS, Approximately 14% of residents of this Commonwealth
do not have a continuous, reliable and self-sustaining pathway
to a food bank or food pantry, and 39% of these households have
a child under 18 years of age; 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
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