
Food rescue is a crucial solution to tackle two pressing issues: hunger and food waste. In the United States alone, around 40% of food is wasted every year, while millions of people struggle with not having enough food. Food rescue programs such as ours collect surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, and other sources and give it to those who need it. This helps provide nutritious meals to people facing food insecurity and prevents good food from going to waste in landfills, which harms the environment. Food rescue is not just a feel-good idea; it’s a practical way to make a positive impact on our communities and the environment.
At the heart of our food rescue efforts is our dedicated van driver, Seth. Seth is our everyday hero who tirelessly picks up food rescue from grocery stores, ensuring that no good food goes to waste. His commitment and hard work have been instrumental in our ability to collect and distribute food to those in need.

Seth begins each morning driving around in our van, stopping at various stores including Jewel, GoPuff, and Instacart. At one Mariano’s, they give us plenty of milk and eggs. At Tony’s, Seth collects bread and sandwiches to go directly to our neighbors. Seth makes almost 30 stops weekly, collecting the food that is not being otherwise sold.
Over the past 9 months, we have rescued an astounding 325,000 pounds of rescued food. This translates to over 270,000 meals for our neighbors facing hunger. It means providing fresh produce, dairy, meat, and other essential food items that can nourish and sustain those in need.
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need and work towards a more sustainable and food-secure future. Join us at The Friendship Center as we continue to tackle food waste and food insecurity, one rescued meal at a time.