JEFFERSON CITY -- Needy families in Missouri will benefit from legislation sponsored by Sen. John Loudon, R-West St. Louis County, and passed this week by the Missouri House of Representatives. Senate Bill 175 will create a food recovery program within the Department of Health and Senior Services that will make it easier for restaurants throughout the state to provide food to charitable organizations.

"This program will be a great help to countless Missouri residents," said Loudon. "The idea for this legislation was brought to me by a group of high school students, and I am honored to have played a role in getting this important bill passed."

Students in Bob Yeates' Service Learning class at The Principia School in Town and Country, approached Loudon about sponsoring a bill to feed the homeless and the result was SB 175.

"The idea for the legislation came from the strong interest of our students to do something for the homeless that would be humanitarian, ease their paths and keep them from going hungry," Yeates said.

The intent of SB 175 is to make surplus food from restaurants available to charitable and not-for-profit organizations or volunteers for distribution to the homeless or those in need of food.

The Department of Health and Senior Services will annually develop a public information brochure regarding food recovery.

"This legislation has protection for donors, thereby encouraging more and better donations statewide," said Loudon.

Under SB 175, any good faith donor who contributes food that appears to be fit for human consumption, cannot be subject to criminal or civil damages arising from the condition of the food.

The Principia students assisted Loudon throughout the legislative process, including testifying on behalf of the bill in both chambers, writing letters of support and meeting with Speaker of the House Catherine Hanaway.

"SB 175 has been tremendously educational … our students who have had several wonderful, educational sessions with Sen. Loudon where he explained the legislative process to our students," Yeates said. "This has been a truly wonderful experience for all of us like we never could have gotten any other way."

Having passed the House with amendments, SB 175 returns to the Senate for final approval.