Gleaners Says New Tax Law Driving Down End-Of-Year Donations
End-of-year donations to Indiana’s largest hunger relief organization are down. And Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana says new tax laws are to blame.
Gleaners says donations are down more than $500,000 compared to last year. The organization says end of year giving makes up about 30 percent of its fundraising.
Recent tax code changes raised itemization limits, which communications director Sarah Estell says gives people less motivation to donate based on deductions.
“And without that additional incentive we’re seeing reduced amount of donations from people who are still giving and from people who have decided not to give at all,” says Estell.
That could directly impact the health of more than 300,000 Hoosiers they serve.
“Particularly for the young children who are served through our school based pantries, through our mobile pantries, though our weekend back sack program. It’s very concerning,” says Estell.
Gleaners says one in six people in its 21-county service area are food insecure.