A bill that would allow taxpayers to contribute to the Utah Food Bank when filing their state tax returns each year advanced through a House committee on Thursday.
SB151 is sponsored by Sen. Don Ipson, R-St. George, who said that this would allow people to “support Utah Food Bank in fighting hunger statewide.”
After passing through the Senate last week, the bill passed through the House Revenue and Taxation Committee unanimously.
“I think this is a reasonable approach to helping some of the problems that we have in our state,” said Rep. Kay Christofferson, R-Lehi.
Through SB151, individuals filing income tax returns would be able to designate part of their tax contributions to the Statewide Hunger Relief Fund. It would start with the taxable year beginning on Jan. 1, 2025.
The money put into the fund would be disbursed to the Utah Food Bank, to help those who struggle with food insecurity across the state.
What is Utah Food Bank?
Utah Food Bank has four distribution centers across the state, in Salt Lake City, St. George, Springville and Blanding.
Last year, the food bank distributed the equivalent of 54.6 million meals to people in Utah’s 29 counties, through their 270 partner agencies.
The food bank is Utah’s only member of the Feed America network which has over 200 food banks across the country.
Utah Food Bank has also recently opened three new food pantries in Montezuma Creek, Monument Valley and Hurricane.