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In Call to Solve Hunger, Grimes Urges Renewal of Farms to Food Banks Tax Credits

abcnews.go.com

Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes urged lawmakers to renew a Kentucky law that provides tax incentives to Kentucky farmers who donate to food banks. Grimes was a prominent backer of legislation creating the incentives.

"Kentucky farmers grow some of the best agricultural products in the country and the world," said Grimes. "And knowing that as many as one in six Kentuckians is impacted by lack of food, the Farms to Food Banks tax credits for farmers who donate to Kentucky food banks are more important than ever. We should not only renew the credits, but increase their value."

Grimes is joining Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles in lobbying the legislature for the renewal of the tax credits that House Bill 141 created in 2013. The Kentucky Nonprofit Network recognized Grimes for her work on the legislation last year.

Joining other Kentucky constitutional officers and legislators, Grimes also announced at the rally that her office will launch a Commonwealth of Kentucky Bowl food drive this fall. The drive will be held amongst Kentucky businesses and community organizations to help food banks at an important time of need – just before the holidays.

"One in four Kentucky children don't always know where their next meal will come from," said Grimes. "We have to do better. That's why I will be calling on the more than 200,000 businesses that make up the Commonwealth's business community to help us feed the children and their families this holiday season."

Grimes is partnering with the Kentucky Association of Food Banks, which hosted Tuesday's rally, for the bowl. She is challenging local chambers of commerce to participate by coordinating donations with their members. 

Grimes has been a champion for solving Kentucky's hunger issues since she took office in 2012 and before she was elected to public office. She is a longtime volunteer at the Salvation Army, serving the Thanksgiving meal at her local service center every year. She also has served on the board of God’s Pantry Food Bank in Lexington.

At the rally, Grimes thanked the farmers who participate in the tax credit program and Kentucky’s food banks for their tireless work to help eradicate hunger and food insecurity in the Commonwealth.

"Scripture calls us to help feed those who are hungry. Every Kentuckian that doesn't worry about when they will eat their next meal or how they will feed their family has a role to play in ensuring no other citizen of this Commonwealth has those worries," said Grimes.

Story provided by: Kentucky.gov