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Tri-Lakes food banks said recently they were all seeing more people visit their locations in search of help.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand provided some numbers: In the North Country, food banks served 580,000 more meals than were served since 2006, a 30 percent increase, and 20,000 families don't know where their next meal is going to come from.

But because of the current recession, people and businesses that would normally donate to food banks and soup kitchens aren't able to donate as much, Gillibrand said in a Tuesday conference call.

Gillibrand announced her support for legislation that would be aimed at letting more people donate more money to charities and helping food banks to make up for the loss in giving.

One bill would double federal funding from $250 million to $500 million for emergency food programs like food pantries and soup kitchens for the next calendar year, starting in January, through the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Another would make permanent the Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive, which gives tax breaks to businesses like farms, restaurants and food manufacturers that donate surplus food to charities that serve the needy.

The third would extend and expand tax credits for seniors who donate from an IRA to public charities. Currently, seniors over 70 may donate up to $100,000 from their plans without having to count the donation as taxable income, but Gillibrand said she wants to lower the age 20 years and make the donation amount unlimited.

Gillibrand also announced her support for a bill being sponsored by Sen. Charles Schumer that would give tax incentives to hunters who donate hunted meat to food pantries.

"No child in New York state should be going to bed hungry," Gillibrand said.

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Contact Jessica Collier at 891-2600 ext. 25 or jcollier@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.