I watched a child eat dirt

Hello Food Rescue Family,

I’ve spent a lot of time recently giving some positive updates on things that the sacrifices of Food Rescue volunteers have produced, but I was watching a program on hunger today, and if you have any time, I believe it is not possible to watch this video without understanding why God has blessed each and every one of us.  There must be a purpose in our profound abundance, and it has to be related to an action step.

http://lifetoday.tv/qt/2009/06/90618.htm

God bless,

John Williamson

Summer Camp in Indy Supports Food Rescue

Hello Everyone,

 

In support of Food Rescue, Moriah Musicals, a summer youth theater program in Hamilton County staffed by CCS and HSE teachers, is putting on a musical comedy that takes a light hearted look at how individuals get their needs met in different economies.  The play was awarded the Olin Davis Award for Excellence by the Indiana Council of Economic Education.  
    
The performance will be at Cumberland Road Christian Church, 12650 Cumberland Road, Fishers, 46038.    Admission is $5.00 per person. All proceeds from the program go to support the work of Food Rescue.  The performance is at 7 PM on Friday, June 19th.  Hope to see some of you there, and thanks for supporting the work of Food Rescue.

John Williamson

Food Rescue President

jw@foodrescue.net

What’s up around the country?

 Hello Everyone,

• Here are some updates on what’s happening around the country with Food Rescue.

 

• Suzannah Park, our district coordinator in Chicago added 2 new days, or 8 new monthly food rescues to the growing Chicagoland area.

 

• Tresha Souza in San Diego coordinates 76 monthly food rescues with 9 stores.

 

• Jon Duch and Darrell Grissen completed our Exact Target customized automated sign up and reminder program, that allows all of our volunteers in Indy to receive a reminder email the night before their food rescue, as well as signing up to volunteer immediately online.  This is the result of 100’s of hours of work on their behalf.  We look forward to introducing  this in some of our larger markets in a few months.

 

• Kathi Crothers just added the “Healthy Bagel” in Jacksonville.

 

• In Indianapolis, Mudsocks Grill joined the Food Rescue team of stores that we rescue food from, as well as the Steak N Shake corporate office.

 

• In Indianapolis, Beverly Manuel has become a chapter president on the South Side, coordinating with the food pantry ministry at University Heights Baptist to pick up pizzas from Little Caesars.

 

• In Oregon, our chapter president Candice Saltsman is seeking stores in Portland Oregon to rescue food on behalf of a food pantry that is in need, and is beginning the process of seeking a partnership with Little Caesars Pizza.

 

• In Arlington Texas, Jack Burgess has become a chapter president and is delivering rescued food to the hungry.   He is also working on bringing on Little Caesars franchises in his community.

 

• The Food Rescue Walk a thon raised over $4,000 at the end of April, and we added 70 members to the 500 Club of $50 per year partners. 

 

• There are still Large and Extra Large Food Rescue T Shirts available for $15.  They come with some great coupons in Indy that basically pay for the price of the shirt.  Email me at jw@foodrescue.net to get  your shirt and coupons today.

 

Telling the Story

Hello All,

I’ve been sadly lacking on the blog posts of late.  I sadly forget sometimes impact the stories about Food Rescue have in the midst of all the details of the organization.    Sorry about that, but hopefully you will find some of these stories encouraging to you.

This week, locally in Indy we picked up about $3,000 worth of retail food from a corporate restaurant headquarters testing facility.  A volunteer who has been out of work for months was able to feed his family for a week with some of the food delivered to the food bank.  We have 2 volunteers that have 10 children each, and who have struggled to find employment.  They picked up a volunteer day on a Food Rescue route that averages 40-60 pizzas per day, and were able to not only feed people that the food pantry services, but also their own families. 

In Texas, there is a ministry that is feeding low income families the food from Food Rescue, and then delivering a message of hope of the goodness of God and how much He loves them, and several have professed to come to know God for the first time as a result of coming to have their physical hunger met.  Finally, with the 1000 monthly Food Rescues performed around the country each month, it is staggering to consider the amount of children being exposed to the social injustice issue of hunger for the first time in the context of an action step.  What great things might they go on to do in the world as a result of God tugging on their hearts at a young age?  It boggles my mind the impact a group of people doing the crazy/simple thing of delivering food once a month to children and families in need have had in our country, acting in concert with one another each night.  How fortunate we are to serve.

Only a Good God

Hello Food Rescue Family,

On the eve of our first fund-raising event, I would like to share with you a vision for the future of our mission and organization.  Over the last 16 months, I have been contacted by many people who are familiar with not for profit charitable businesses, and they have all drawn for me something I had never seen before.   They’ve all drawn a triangle, made up of events, small financial partners, and large financial partners, with the large partners carrying the most importance in sustaining the charitable activities.

As I have digested this model, I cannot help but recognize how distinctly different that model is from our actual organization.  There are very few “key people” within Food Rescue, or should I say that everyone involved with Food Rescue is “key”, depending on your point of view.  In a perfect world, I would like to look back on things and for it to be impossible to point to one financial gift that led to families and children continuing to be fed in our country, rather the contributions of many, which is exactly how the Food Rescue service model was born.

It is my vision to see Food Rescue funded in the following manner.  500 people giving $50 per year, followed by 1000 people giving $25 per year.  After reaching that benchmark, 2,500 people giving $10 per year, and then 5,000 people giving $5 per year.  Each partner in that chain would be as important as the next, just as each volunteer is just as important as another volunteer.    With all of those partners in place, we could expand our impact beyond our imagination.

16 months ago, there was no reason to believe 1500 people could deliver 3 million dollars of retail value food to families and children in need acting in concert together across our nation.  Yet God allowed our story to travel, and here we are today.  Could our funding occur the same way?   Since rolling this vision out to just a few people 6 days ago, 50 people have responded to our 500 Club, which is the first wave of partners at $50 per year.  We need 450 more to move onto phase 2, which is the 1000 club, which would be 1000 partners at the $25 per year level.  Please prayerfully consider sharing this vision with the same passion you have shared your passion for service with Food Rescue, and we will have a story to tell that will confound all conventional wisdom in any world, let alone the not for profit world, and will leave no one with any explanation other  than a good God stretched out His mighty hand to provide for families and children in their time of need, having nothing to do with any one individual.  We will proclaim together that we serve a God of ”sufficiency and abundance” and leave the simplictiy of our actions as a testimony for our world to examine.  This is my vision, this is my passion, and this is my prayer.  Thank you for your encouragement with this vision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot4sgVYCeas

Click Here to become a member of the 500 Club  http://foodrescue.net/volunteers/contactus

God Bless,

JW

Some Food Rescue Stats

1)  Our operating costs are less than 2 cents for every $1 of food we rescue.

2)  Food Rescue delivers food to the Emergency Foodshelf Network in Minnesota, that serves around 2500 families annually as one of 200 EFN loactions in Minnesota.

3)  Food Rescue and Mass Appeal Internatioal partner together to serve 2000 families per month in the Boston area.

3)  Food Rescue and The Open cupboard partner in Naples NY to feed 85 families per month.

4)  Food Rescue and The North End Kitchen Soup  in Brighton ?FlintMichigan partner together and serve 155,000 meals annually.

5)  Food Rescue Partners with Third Phase in Hamilton County Indiana to serve 5000 families each year with food from the Food Pantry.

6)  Food Rescue provides nourishment for 130-140 students from low income families at a school in Toledo OH.

7)  Food Rescue provides nourishment for 10-15 children each week in a children’s home in Simpsonville SC.

8)  Food Rescue partners with City Union Mission in Kansas City MO, which serves between 10,000 and 15,000 meals per month.

9)  Food Rescue partners with Blessed Sacrament’s Soup Kitchen  – toserve 22,000 meals per in the Rochester NY area, and House of Mercy  services over 4000 People per MONTH!

10)  These are just a few of our chapters around the country, not including 2 of our larger chapters in Jacksonville FL and Chicago IL.

 

 

Thanks for all you do Food Rescue Family!

God bless,

John Williamson

Jacksonville Chapter President Story

With permission, I am sharing the story of our chapter president in Jacksonville FL, Kathi Crothers. Kathi tuned into K Love for the first time 8 months ago and heard Food Rescue on the radio, and she now leads a group of 80 people saving hundreds and thousands of dollars of food annually and delivering it to people in need. This is her story:

Three years ago I was a non believer. I was married with a child and I had no idea who or what God was. My daughter attended preschool at MUMC and I found myself in a pickle with financial and marital problems controlling my life. It was suggested to me that I contact a Stephen Minister who may be able to walk me through this difficult time. I accepted and contacted a total stranger. Not being a member of the church or ever attending a service, I didn’t understand why this was available to me. She called me and wanted to know what was hurting me so badly. We talked day in and day out for a month or so before we ever met. I felt closer and more comfortable with her than anyone I have ever met because she showed me complete dedication with out judging me or telling me what to do next. I asked her why she loved me so much and how she could give her time to me without even knowing the real me and her answer was Jesus. Our first meeting was at Wednesday night dinner. I remember how out of place I felt and scared to be there. Throughout our time, I wanted to know more about Jesus. What she didn’t know, we found out together. She went with me to the lawyers to file for divorce. I dont think this was part of her obligation as a Stephan Minister. I think it was because I had a true friend. She had a good friend who was starting up a new ministry called Celebrate Recovery. I thought this was an excellent idea for my husband and I would join with him and be his number one supporter. When I didnt want to go, she would gently inquire about my reasons and behavours behind this. It was her persistant calling and caring that woke me up and made me realize that I wanted to have what she had in her life. Jesus. I needed to get real and honest and find out how I added to the problems my home life was having. She was the first person who encouraged me and told me how amazing I was. I believed her and I began to reach out and find a sister hood community at church. Women from everywhere were saying hello to me and inviting me to be part of their world. I stepped into a world of possibiIities and endless dreams with God. I could never had imagined my life as it is now. I am a single mother, I facilitate through a ministry, and I live for God. Ive never been happier. You see she didnt just ask me how I was doing, she stayed and waited it out to see who I became. My angel… Cheryl.

March Food Rescue Newsletter

Hello Everyone,

 

Recently, a friend of mine was attending a not for profit seminar intended to “ignite the passion” of the attendees of the seminar for the organizations they serve.  The question they used at the outset has not left me since it was shared with me few weeks ago.  The question was simple.  “What would happen if your organization did not exist?”

 

As the economic crisis in our country continues, not for profits are in a fight for their very existence.  There are many organizations that will not survive as people make choices of where their limited resources will go. It will take passionate people in many cases who truly believe the negative impact of the potential demise of an organization is worth fighting for.  Those organizations with high impact and low overhead operating costs should be in position to whether the storm.  Food Rescues operating budget is $55,000 to manage 19 states, 46 chapter presidents, 1500 volunteers with nearly 1000 monthly “food rescues” and over 3 million dollars in annual retail value food given away to people in need.  We have one of the lowest operating budgets per volunteer and per citizen who receives our services in the country. 

 

Our hope is that our lean operating expenses in relation to the high impact we have around the country will result in the survival and continued growth of Food Rescue, however, these facts alone will not make it happen.  The reality is that Food Rescue is currently under it’s lean operating budget, and we are funded by 36 donors and 1 church.  For our mission to be sustained, we need to grow our annual donor base to 500 people (a 500 club) contributing $50 annually.  We are too dependent on a small number of donors, which is ironic because our organizaiton is quite the opposite, with so many volunteers doing a very small thing to make a very big difference in the lives of people around the country. 

 

Today we are asking our volunteer base to help us fund our organizaiton by becoming part of our ”Food Rescue 500 Club” and asking friends to do the same by making a $50 annual contribution if you are able, and if you feel the impact of our demise would have a negative impact on our country.  You can do it one of three ways:  1)  Send a check made to Food Rescue at the address found here , (you will have to scroll down a bit).  2) Use the Food Rescue Pay Pal account. 3)  If you are in Indianapolis, sign up at this link for or our walk a thon on April 25th from 9AM to 11AM in the Grace Community Church parking lot, where we will have breakfast,lunch, and lots of food coupons from our vendors, and great fellowship as we celebrate our first year of existence. I would love to meet all of you that have made such incredible sacrifices to serve people in need. 

 

In other news, I’d like to welcome Candice Saltsman in Hillsboro Oregon, Tresha Souza in Salinas CA, Cheryl Jackson in Plano TX,  Aaron Overfield in St. Louis MO, Rosey Zielke in Novi Michigan, and Ellen Thomas in Cambridge OH, and Carl Gilmour In San Antonio TX as chapter presidents.   Also, our chapter president in St. Paul Minnesota, Lynette Harris, has started a Food Shelf called “Moms Shelf” serving 450 families each month.  She started with one pick up at one location about a year ago.  Finally, I am actually writing this newsletter from Florida, as I am speaking at three churches and strategizing with our largest chapter outside of Indianapolis in Jacksonville Florida.  From my first stop, it looks like we will be starting a chapter in  Naples FL very soon, as well as adding to our support.  Thanks for each and every one of you that has supported Food Rescue with your time, talents, and treasures.

 

God bless,

 

John Williamson

Food Rescue Founder

jw@foodrescue.net

1-317-694-4006

Food Rescue Stories

Hello,

The stories the have come out of Food Rescue always humble me.  Lynette in St. Paul MN since starting a Food Rescue chapter has decided to open her own Food Shelf called “Mom’s Shelf”.  She works with 10 vendors and services 450 families, and recently received a $15,000 grant to care for people in her community.  She is an inspiration to the entire Food Rescue family.  Thank you Lynette Harris for your wonderful heart for serving people in your community.

Food Rescue is approaching our 1000′th monthly food rescue, with over 3 million dollars in annual retail value food rescues, in 19 states, with 46 chapter presidents, and 1500 plus volunteers.   That is a long way away from the 4 bags of bread my family delivered for the first time in Nov. of 2007 to Third Phase in Indy.

Recently, a friend of mine involved in a not for profit business was at a conference with the intent to “stoke the fire” of the participants, and she was asked the following question:  “What would happen if the organization you work for no longer existed?” I am honored to work alongside all of you involving ourselves in a humanitarian project that we can know for certain is benefiting so many people in our troubled economic times, and would be sorely missed if it ceased to exist.  My fire was definitely stoked considering the question.

God bless,

John

Fun Time for Food Rescuers

Hello FoodRescuers, 

Just a note for Indiana folks to please sign up for the walkathon at the link below if you plan to attend on April 25th from 9AM to 11AM.  Lunch provided and many coupons and goodies from the vendors that partner with us will be given away.  Our goal is to have 100 walkers walk a mile for Food Rescue and raise $120 each.   Registering is critical for our planning purposes.  Thanks in advance for your tireless support of Food Rescue.

http://foodrescuewalkathon.eventbrite.com/

 

God bless!

Large Food Establishments and Food Rescue

I have mentioned in previous archives that executives from Little Caesars and Tim Hortons, each with over 2500 franchises, have been in contact with me regarding the mechanics of Food Rescue.   Last week an Executive for Tim Hortons in New York called me and said that they were ready to do a trial run in New York, where they have 34 stores.  It just so happens that we have a Chapter President, Lisa Wheeler,  in Rochester New York, very close to some of the stores.  Amazing.

I had given them a memo to study regarding what motivates Panera to have a corporate policy to give away their unused food at the end of the day.  It juxtaposed 2 questions.  1)  Is Panera Bread more kind hearted than everybody else in their industry?  Or 2) Do they know something you don’t know or understand?  I then went on to describe the Good Samaritan Laws, tax laws, and free advertising benefits that go along with the morally obvious portion of not throwing good food away.  I also pointed out that Panera is a publicly traded company, and that they have to answer to shareholders for decisions they make, meaning that can’t put “good will” above the shareholder.   Food donations as a company policy is in the best interest of the shareholder was the argument I made in the memo.

As much sense as these points make to me, I must say I didn’t hold out much hope that they could make an impact on such a large company, if for no other reason the number of minds that must be in accord to change any policy, however, seeing the response from Tim Hortons has opened my eyes to this little thing we have all been doing the past year together has the potential be the driving force toward sweeping change over time in ways that far exceed what we started out doing.  I hope that you will be able to imagine with me what would happen if these 2 franchises alone actually developed corporate policies that to give away unused food, and also to be able to visualize the critical role each person played to even make it in the realm of possibility.  

Seeing Food Rescue expand into other states, and seeing compelled people develop their chapters, in some cases like Jacksonville perhaps to a statewide level, is an incredible thing to see, but the net effect of all of it acting in concert together is the imagination of a good God on display for all to see.

Possible Legislation Change in Indiana

Hello Everyone,

I received this email from the legislative assistant and staff director of Brian Bosma, a state legislator in Indiana.  While the Good Samaritan Laws are favorable related to food donations at the federal level, states like Florida have added stricter language to protect people trying to help at the state level, and my hope was that we could follow suit here in Indiana.  Here was the response.  I am hoping this can open a dialouge on the legal issues related to accidents that occur when a volunteer is serving on behalf of a not for profit organizaiton.

Mr. Williamson, Thank you for contacting Rep. Bosma. He requested that I follow up with you regarding your concerns. I apologize for the amount of time it has taken to respond to you. Rep. Bosma requested that our legal counsel research the issue of food donation and the current federal law. Her determination was while the Federal law on food donation, the Bill Emerson Food Donation Act, is probably written strong enough in your favor to provide protection to encourage these donations, it appears some states and organizations are still not comfortable with the wording. The federal law states that a person is not subject to civil or criminal liability arising from the condition of an apparently wholesome food or apparently fit grocery product. Also, Indiana law provides for immunity from civil liability. However, Rep. Bosma looked at the Florida law and is going to see if he can find a way to amend that language into Indiana Code. We will keep you posted to let you know if he makes progress on this issue this session. If he is unable to get this language passed this year, he will make it a priority for the next session.

A Rod and Charles

You know there have been a couple of famous athletes in the news the past month who provide an interesting contrast to one another.  Alex Rodriguez for taking steroids to improve his stats in MLB, and Charles Barkley for engaging in drunk driving, a potentially deadly activity with deadly consequences beyond his own welfare.

Seeing it in writing, it’s so easy to see which offense is more serious, yet the person who has received the most outrage is the person who tried to improve his stats?  Why?  I think it has everything to do with the fact that we thirst as a society for authentic human beings.  We will forgive almost anything other than insincerity, because insincerity abounds.  For better or for worse, even a non sports fan such as my wife looks at Charles and makes an analysis that he is telling the truth, and although he is surrounded by many whose actions are “less offensive” than his, his authentic nature garners him the benefit of the doubt in almost every situation, while others are guilty before proven innocent.

The A rod/Charles example that has played out before our eyes underscores the importance to us as followers of God that our acitons allign with our beliefs, and that we become an authentic people that demonstrates what we believe.   Even if people disagree with us, they can hear our hearts as long as we are authentic.  “The truth” delivered by someone perceived to be a phony just does not fly in our culture.  It’s like an odor that can be smelled from a great distance.

Millions around the country, many of them followers of Christ, have opined on talk radio and television that Alex Rodriguez is really “A Fraud”, rather than A Rod.  When it comes to issue of justice and mercy, we need to make sure we are equally hard on ourselves if the things we say we believe are true do not match our actions.  While it’s more popular to examine A Rods consistency in his story, an equal examination of our own would be more productive.

The 12 Year Old Who Gave $10

I received the following letter today:

Dear Mr. Williamson,

Enclosed in this letter is a $10 contribution to Food Rescue. I am doing a project at church where each kid in my small group was given $10 to direct to someone in need.  I read about Food Rescue in the paper and from Ellen, and I admire your desire to help others.  I’m glad food is not going to waste, and that people all over are getting helped, both at thte same time.

I’ve been praying that God would show me who to give this to, and I feel led to give it to Food Rescue.  I pray that the business will do well, and that people will see Jesus through Food Rescue.

In Christ,

Elle

If you scroll down you a few blog posts before this one you will see a similar story about a 9 year old girl who gave a dollar.  The heart of children is inspiring to me, and I am sure all of you feel the same way.  We teach them so much, yet we have so much to learn from them.  I am thankful for all of the children involved in Food Rescue.
God bless,

A few new and one old

Hello Food Rescue Family,

As for “the new” I just wanted to take  a moment and welcome our newest chapter president, Anita Rodriguez in Sacramento California.  She is working with Stephanie Morrison of Hopeful Inc in Sacramento, and we look forward to many great stories from Sacramento.  We are also potentially adding 4 days in Rochester NY with our CP in Rochester, Lisa Wheeler. 

As for “the old”, or VP Bryndon Preston found a link of the story I blogged about regarding “ripples” by Tim Sanders regarding the  Timberland shoe company.  It’s about 8 minutes long, but it’s an example of what one tiny act can do.  I hope all of you can relate to it, and recognize that you are part of an unfolding “ripple” described in this story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JW0MjKLB3k