Every donation helps in the fight against hunger – no matter how large or small.

The Good Samaritan Law

On October 1, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act to encourage the donation of food and grocery products to nonprofit organizations for distribution to needy individuals and limit liability for those who provide food. This new law makes it easier to donate. Here's how:

  • It protects donors from liability when donating to a nonprofit organization.
  • It protects donors from civil and criminal liability should the product donated in good faith later cause harm to the needy recipient.
  • It standardizes donor liability exposure. Donors and their legal counsel no longer have to investigate liability laws in 50 states.
  • Congress recognized that the provision of food close to recommended date of sale is, in and of itself, not grounds for finding gross negligence. For example, cereal can be donated if it is marked close-to-code date for retail sale.

Donating is easier now than ever before.