Hunger Archives - Loaves and Fishes

The Impact Food Rescue Makes on Other Nonprofits

You’re probably aware by now of the effect food rescue has on fighting hunger and reducing waste. What you may not realize, however, is the impact food rescue has on other nonprofit organizations. In 2017, we distributed more than 2.2 million pounds of food to the 90+ nonprofit agencies we partner with across the Upstate. What kind of impact does food rescue have on these organizations? Reduces their operating costs One of the most significant ways food rescue impacts nonprofit organizations is by reducing their operating costs. Some organizations, such as homeless or women’s shelters, need to serve meals to those they assist. In those instances, the food that comes from rescue organizations significantly reduces how much these nonprofits need to spend on food costs. Other nonprofits that require food for their...

How to Get Involved with Food Rescue

in Hunger

Maybe you know someone who’s been personally affected by hunger. Maybe you’ve been following Loaves & Fishes on Twitter and have become passionate about our work. Maybe you see the need but aren’t sure how to make a difference. No matter who you are or what skills you possess, there’s a way for you to get involved with food rescue. 1. Raising awareness One of the most important ways you can help your community is by sharing what you have learned about food rescue. Most are unaware of how prevalent hunger is throughout the country and even in their own backyards. Sharing statistics about local hunger can have a major impact on your friends and colleagues and can spur them to action. Reducing hunger is possible if we all work together. In addition,...

How to Reduce Personal Food Waste — and Feed the Hungry

in Hunger

Each American wastes about one pound of food each day — enough to feed 2 billion people each year, according to the Department of Agriculture. When food waste accounts for 19 percent of landfills yet over 41 million Americans struggle with hunger, something doesn’t add up. Reducing food waste has become a necessity not only for our environment but also for our hungry citizens. At Loaves & Fishes, we fight food waste by rescuing food from donors, like grocery stores or restaurants, and delivering it to those in need, via shelters or community centers. But it takes all of us working together to make a significant dent in our food waste problem — and that starts at home. Read on for ways you can personally help to reduce food waste in...

How to Have a Zero-Waste Fourth of July

in Hunger

If you are trying to be more mindful of waste, especially in a country where 41 million people struggle with hunger, hosting events can be frustrating. Paper plates, plastic cups, leftovers that go bad before they can be eaten — these are all part of the typical waste produced from Fourth of July celebrations. Fortunately, there are adjustments you can make to help reduce the amount of waste from your event. 1. Avoid disposable items Much of the waste produced by events comes from disposable items like plastic cups and utensils. Using real plates, napkins, forks and cups can help avoid most Fourth of July waste. Don’t have enough of your own? Consider renting items from a party rental company. If using real items isn’t an option, seek out compostable utensils and...

Hunger Doesn’t Take a Summer Break

in Hunger

Over 200,000 children in South Carolina struggle with hunger, according to Feeding America, and summer is often the most difficult time for them. The nearly 35,000 children in Greenville County who rely on free and reduced-price school meals lose access to regular meals during the summer months. In addition, summer is particularly challenging for food pantries and summer feeding programs. Donations typically decline following the holidays and reach a near standstill during the summer months. This summer lull is why it’s extremely important for us to work together and be vigilant in preventing hunger. Food rescue organizations, like ours, play a key role during the summertime. Community food programs host summer meal sites at places such as parks, recreation centers and houses of worship — and those programs rely on food rescue...