For Immediate Release: June 8, 2006


Senator John Ford

Sen. Ford’s Charity Food Tax Exemption Bill Signed

Charitable programs that provide food to the needy will now have a well-deserved sales tax exemption—that’s thanks to the passage of House Bill 2397 which has now been signed into law. Sen. John Ford is co-author of the measure, which exempts non-profit organizations from collecting taxes on sales of food boxes.

“This will benefit charitable programs such as Heartland Share which helps people purchase low-cost groceries,” said Ford, R-Bartlesville. “Heartland Share has programs in several surrounding states, but Oklahoma was the only one that required them to collect sales taxes. As of July 1, they will no longer have to do that.”

Ford praised the program, which allows people to purchase food at about 50 percent of retail price in exchange for performing two hours of volunteer service.

“It is a wonderful concept, because it encourages self-reliance and gives people throughout our communities to help one another by volunteering for any number of programs including scouting, hospice, church groups or other kinds of community service,” Ford said.

The Share program does not rely on donated foods, but uses the proceeds from the discounted sales of food boxes to buy in volume, which enables the organization to provide substantial savings to those in need.

“Programs like this really are a win-win for our communities, and I am very gratified that they will now enjoy the same tax exemptions currently in place in other states,” Ford said.

For more information, contact:
Senator Ford's Office: (405) 521-5634