Disaster Response
In 2005, food relief organizations provided an unprecedented response to the basic food and water needs of thousands of people displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This effort’s success depended on collaboration among many private organizations and government agencies, including Feeding America, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross, and others. The disaster brought attention to the ongoing need to address hunger and poverty in America, and it also underscored which actions and policies increase access to food during times of disaster.
Disaster Preparation and Response
Food Purchasing and Warehousing
States and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) drew on stored reserves of food to provide relief in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. USDA purchased an additional 20 million pounds of canned meat, poultry, fruit, and vegetables for immediate distribution and to replenish emergency food stockpiles. Maintaining distributed food reserves is essential for disaster relief. It is also critical to warehouse food that can be easily transported and consumed during times of disaster, such as energy and granola bars, shelf-stable milk, and single-serving soups, pastas, and stews.
Relief Legislation
Following the devastating 2005 hurricanes, Congress passed the Katrina Emergency Relief Act, which temporarily expanded tax deductions for food donations. It is unfortunate that these deductions were not made permanent since hunger is a chronic challenge. Nevertheless, swift Congressional action to again extend the special enhanced tax deduction to all business taxpayers can help improve hunger relief efforts.
Expedited Action on Disaster Response Programs
In response to the 2005 disasters, USDA eased the reporting requirements of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to help reduce the regulatory burdens on food banks for the time of the crisis. USDA also issued a national Food Stamp Policy that expedited access to food stamps for displaced individuals. Other programs were streamlined or saw regulatory requirements eased in order to meet the needs of people at risk for hunger. In future disasters, similar steps should be taken to help ensure access to food.
Business Participation
The business community responded admirably to the 2005 hurricane disasters. The programs of Feeding America and our charitable partners saw significant donation increases in the aftermath of the hurricanes. Current donors increased their contributions, and 80 companies were first-time national donors. Tax incentives helped encourage this level of participation.
Policy Recommendations to Improve Disaster Response
Expand Tax Deductions for Hunger Relief
After the 2005 hurricanes, Congress temporarily expanded tax deductions for food donations to include small businesses, restaurants, farmers, and ranchers. To encourage both contributions in response to crises and consistent ongoing donations, Congress should enact permanent changes to the tax code that enable all businesses to deduct the fair market value of food they donate.
Strengthen the Food Stamp Program
The Food Stamp Program is the most important part of our nation’s hunger relief safety net. Persons displaced by disasters not only lose stored food, but they are often put out of jobs that enable them to pay for food. The Food Stamp Program helps provide food to millions of people in need, and many eligible participants qualified for food stamps following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Congress should strive to ensure that this critical program remains strong and able to reach as many needy people as possible in times of disaster.