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