One million pounds. That’s $1.7 million worth of perishable food that area grocery stores have donated to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ food rescue program, since its start nearly two years ago. It wouldn’t have been possible without the help of 48 volunteer drivers who have logged over 2,000 hours to bring food to those in need.
Food rescue began as a Harvesters program. The food bank, used to picking up larger pallets of food donations, asked Catholic Charities to help. Warehouse manager Jeff Schmidt and long-time volunteer Jeff Bailey, teamed up to coordinate the program, which provides an outlet for the grocery stores to donate highly valued food such as milk, produce and meat, rather than throwing the items away.
After starting with just three grocery stores, volunteer drivers now pick up from 19 stores and deliver to Catholic Charities’ food pantries in Kansas City, Kansas; Leavenworth; Olathe; Overland Park; and Topeka. “Some days our food rescue volunteers pick up 3,000 pounds of food or more. That food is helping those in our community who can’t afford to go to the grocery store themselves and buy nutritious items. It makes you feel like you’re making a difference,” adds Bailey.
Additional food rescue volunteers are needed, especially in Kansas City, Kansas. To learn more, contact Michelle Carlstedt, Director of Volunteers, at [email protected] or call 913.433.2080.