I am Rob Stepp the Finance officer of the American Legion Post 146. I would like to tell you how this fee and 40% UOP will negatively affect us as a non profit organization to provide services to our Veterans.

We have a kitchen that makes wonderful meals for the Veterans but must keep the cost down since many of the Vets are on a fixed income. Some of them come to eat there every day and with the rising cost of food and rising wages we must pay to keep competitive with all other for profit establishments we depend on the little income we make from the Electronic gaming machines. 

We also currently operate a bingo which we donate more than our required 10% to charity and cannot legally use that money for food or wages. 

By paying the fee and using another 40% for charity it will leave practically nothing to help with the overall operating expenses. 

Since most of the organizations are in the same situation by being non profit we will quite possibly have to close down if we cannot use this income to help with the support of our Post. 

I'm all for giving to charity but we give plenty and in my opinion we are giving charity to the men and women that served our country by serving meals at a almost even cost of the supplies.

I feel this is completely unfair to them and to the non profit organizations.

I would respectfully request that you rescind the 40% and allow the organizations to use the money appropriately even if it means paying the wages of our staff.

Respectfully submitted.

Rob Stepp, Finance Officer

Am Legion Post 146, Hopewell, VA