How Foodshare will secure more food donations, part one

Last year, Foodshare distributed enough food to make 11 million meals…

And yet, that’s just three or four meals per hungry person per week…

It covers just 25% of the need.

Clearly, we must do more and do better!

We have a plan – to provide an additional 2.5 million meals each year!

•       Expanded retail store pick-up

•       Increased capacity at the Hartford Regional Market

•       Expanded volunteer sorting and re-packing at Bloomfield Distribution Facility

Let’s take part one – expanded retail pick-up to discuss today:

•       Local retailers have food to donate, but these donations are smaller and need frequent pick-ups at many stores, not one central distribution point.
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•        The Solution: Volunteers commit to significant food safety and customer service training, before representing Foodshare in their community.  They pick up on a set schedule from a local grocery store, make sure food is safe, and take it directly to a local partner in their own community. 

The Result: Food is saved, people are fed, and new relationships grow in towns across our region.

To date:          37 local stores

                       207 volunteers 

                       42 partner agencies   

                       196,989 meals

To be added:   84 more stores

                        340 volunteers  

                        40 partner agencies  

                        672,000 meals

Look for more information on the other parts of our plan in upcoming blog posts.