(a) For the purposes of this section, a food pantry is a charitable, nonprofit organization which collects, purchases, or otherwise accumulates food and food related items for distribution without any charge for charitable purposes.
(b) A food pantry in Talladega County is exempt from all state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes on the purchase or distribution of food and food related items for charitable purposes provided the food pantry has been granted status as a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code and provided it pays no person any salary or expenses for the performance of any duties related to its charitable operations.