Support hunger relief on your Ill. state tax form

[February 09, 2011]  CHICAGO -- This tax season you can again give back while completing your income tax form by donating to hunger relief efforts across Illinois. The tax checkoff program, now in its second year, makes it easier to donate at a time of sustained demand for emergency food.

By checking "Hunger Relief" listed in Schedule G and entering your contribution amount on Line i, your donation will benefit Feeding Illinois, a coalition of the eight Feeding America food banks covering the entire state of Illinois. The entire checkoff amount you donate will directly support feeding programs across Illinois. To remain on the tax form each year, total donations from residents must reach at least $100,000. There is no limit to the amount an individual can donate.

"Feeding Illinois is honored to be part of the tax checkoff program again this year, helping raise money for -- and awareness of -- hunger issues," said Tracy Smith, state director of Feeding Illinois. "We continue to see increased demand and strive to find innovative ways to help people in need. Having additional resources to do so will make an enormous difference."

Every day, Feeding Illinois food banks provide access to healthy and nutritious food. As the need has continued to rise over the last few years, food banks are under enormous pressure to feed a growing number of people. The tax checkoff enables Illinois residents to have a direct impact in fighting hunger in their state.

The Illinois Hunger Study, released by Feeding America in January 2010, found that regional food banks serve 2,000 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters, providing emergency food to more than 1.4 million residents throughout the state -- or 1 in 10 men, women and children.

Food banks in Illinois provide food for a broad cross section of households:

• 42 percent of the members of households in Illinois are children under 18 years old.

• 9 percent of the members of households are children age 0 to 5 years.

• 4 percent of the members of households are elderly.

• About 40 percent of clients are non-Hispanic white, 41 percent are non-Hispanic black, 16 percent are Hispanic, and the rest are from other racial groups.

• 38 percent of households include at least one employed adult.

• 71 percent have incomes below the federal poverty level during the previous month.

• 6 percent are homeless.

[Text from Feeding Illinois file received from the Central Illinois Foodbank]