Second Harvest gets help with hunger

THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) - Once the new Second Harvest facility in Thomasville is up and running, it will be able to pump out 10,000 meals a day, and with the signing of a new bill by Governor Deal, thousands of dollars will be saved on purchases towards putting a stop to hunger.

The walls of this new facility will soon hold up to five million pounds of food.  Now, that Governor Nathan Deal has signed a bill that exempts the food banks from sales taxes, they'll be able to fill more stomachs.

"It was a part of his tax incentive package so it was very important, to him to make sure that it go to his desk and today we got to see that signed," said Frank Richards, Second Harvest of South Ga. President.

Last year,  money that was paid as taxes on food can now be used to feed the hungry.   "That's almost five and a half semi truck loads of food that was taken out of the mouths of hungry children," said Richards.

The signing of the bill puts the state one step closer to putting a stop to hunger.   Governor Deal vetoed the bill last year, but supporters never lost hope.   "The money that we receive for the purchase of the food is money that comes from tax payers, so it was not right in our opinion that we pay taxes on that money too," said Richards.

A step that is expected to save food banks $2.5 million over two years. The extra money could help second harvest expand its Kids Cafe' programs to help create brighter futures.

"We get up every day trying to end hunger, and if we can help a kid, to better themselves down the road that's where we want to be," said Regional Director Danny Dukes.

It's growth that continues to move food banks across the state closer to the goal of ending hunger for good. If you have an after school program and you're interested in enrolling in the kids café program call 229.244.2678

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