Legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-IN) aims to restore choice to community food assistance providers to request identification, at their discretion, from anyone who wants food assistance.
The Preserving Community Food Assistance Act of 2026, H.R. 8953, would amend the Food Emergency Assistance Act of 1983 to end a 2024 Biden administration change that stopped food banks and food pantries from requesting household addresses to determine eligibility for assistance.
Rep. Yakym says that according to local food pantries, the policy change has made it more difficult for community organizations to effectively manage limited resources and serve the populations they were established to support.
“Hoosiers are generous by nature, but that charity should not be abused,” Rep. Yakym said on May 22. “This common-sense bill restores flexibility for local food pantries to effectively manage limited resources and continue serving individuals and families in need. We should be empowering local organizations — not making it harder for them to carry out their mission.”
H.R. 8953 has been endorsed by MAC Food Pantry and the Hearts United for Bristol Food Pantry, which are in Indiana’s Second District, which Rep. Yakym represents.
The bill has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.