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