Orange Park United Methodist Food Pantry every Monday gives out food to 70-80 families feeding 1200 people monthly. Waste Not Want Not Food bank is critical to our success .Every Monday they provide us with a cargo van of rescued food- bread, pastry, produce , dairy items and meat. We then pass that on later in the afternoon to those in need. They are open every week and the volunteers & managers are very helpful and dedicated to their mission. WNWN is a blessing to our pantry and to the communityRay White, OPUMC pantry manager.
Waste Not Want Not is not just a nonprofit organization; it's a shining example of how a simple act of compassion can spread across 14 counties. They help out other nonprofit organizations as well. The impact they have made over 30 years is amazing.
If you are looking for a good non-profit that is run efficiently while making a HUGE difference in the community. Look no further! Great staff, great business model.
I am writing to express my sincerest gratitude for the surplus of food that you generously donated last Saturday. Your organization's dedication to reducing food waste and addressing hunger in our community is truly remarkable, and we are incredibly thankful for your support. The surplus food you provided has made a significant impact on our organization and the individuals we serve.
We look forward to continuing our collaboration and making a lasting impact together. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors.
Warm regards,
Kym Maye -Knowledge & Empowerment
We started our food pantry at OPH Community Partnership School Food Pantry 13 months ago. Waste Not Want Not has been a huge part in making our pantry successful. We have fed over 1000 students/families and community members during our monthly food distributions and we could not have done it without their help. We appreciate their hard work and dedication to our community.
Our church volunteers once a month at The Kitchen of Clay County, Middleburg location, providing a soup and sandwich lunch to those in need. Waste Not Want Not provides the bread for the sandwiches as well as other items that they have on hand - breakfast sandwiches, desserts, salads, etc. During our weeks, we provide an average of 80-100 lunches and everyone is so appreciative for the "extras" they receive which wouldn't be possible without the participation of Waste Not Want Not.
I have experienced the values of Waste Not Want Not as a recipient of its work in my volunteering with a food pantry ministry in Mandarin and as a recent volunteer directly. In both roles, I have seen the benefits Waste Not delivers to the local community in need. The organization is unique in its position to fill a much-needed niche in the effort to combat food insecurity. There are many organizations that support feeding the hungry directly which is valuable and necessary. However, Waste Not's mission is focused on the rescuing of food that would otherwise be squandered and go unused. The organization plays the role of middleman (connecting the dots) between surplus food and hungry people, and it is done primarily through the grace, caring and hard work of hundreds of volunteers and the leadership and dedication of only 2 paid employees. Over the course of a year, Waste Not rescues in the range of 2 million pounds of food and distributes every bit of it to its partnership agencies that are able to get it directly to those in need. That is a powerful effort and result. I know our food pantry would suffer significantly if we did not have Waste Not as a resource for our weekly needs.
There are so many ways to share your time, talent and treasure. I believe we all can help in some small way. Most important for me is choose a cause that I am passionate about. My cause is working to eliminate hunger! No children, seniors, elderly or families should have to choose food or other necessities. I also want to volunteer with a non profit where the mission is met without overwhelming overhead/personnel costs. I expect bang for my buck!
Well I found that nonprofit to volunteer for - Waste Not Want Not, Inc! As one of over 200 volunteers once a week I visit 3 local stores to rescue food that would otherwise be put in a dumpster. That rescued food is that day distributed to food banks, soup kitchens, and other organizations feeding the hungry.
I have experienced the gratitude of those receiving the rescued food. It is such a rewarding way to contribute to our community.
It is amazing the impact this organization has with minimal overhead and only 2 paid employees. It is a labor of love!
So I started in 2000 picking up weekly till 2006. On our return to FL 2018 I was pleased to jump back in! Awesome non-profit and people!
An organization with a dedicated group of volunteers who collect and distribute an enormous amount of food daily to area homeless shelters, food kitchens and food distribution centers.
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The sheer volume of rescued food volunteers move through Waste Not Want Not on a daily basis is absolutely incredible. I have been privileged to be a part of the dedicated pool of caring souls who help operate this worthwhile enterprise for several years. The commitment of these individuals is awe inspiring. A group I volunteer with who serve the poor directly has also been the recipient of some of the rescued food from Waste Not Want Not for our small emergency food pantry. I can tell you hungry people have had something to eat because of Waste Not Want Not everyday.
I have had the great fortune to be a part of the Waste Not Want Not Inc organization for the past 4 years. Never have I seen in either a for profit or non-profit organization the efficiency and passion with which this great organization is run. Made up of mostly volunteers with only 2 paid staff members Waste Not Want Not fights hunger by rescuing literally millions of pounds of food each year that gets distributed to frontline organizations.
Waste Not Want Not is a great nonprofit that puts its clients first. Waste Not has always been a great supplier of food for my food pantry. Whenever I found myself in a tough situation where our normal supply of food was either low or completely depleted I can always depend on Sandra for assistance. Waste Not really takes care of the community.
Waste Not Want Not is such an incredible organization with such an incredible mission. Just the sheer amount of food they save each year is impressive, but even more impressive are the number of organizations they support by redistributing that food for the betterment of the community. I am fortunate that our organization is one of those lucky recipients. Were it not for the weekly distribution we receive of bread, produce, breakfast sandwiches,drinks, and desserts we would be unable to operate. With the crucial help of Waste Not Want Not, we were able to provide more than 6000 meals to the food insecure last year. And, that’s just our one organization. Waste Not Want Not is truly shaping the face of charitable work in our community.
We are so thankful for Waste Not Want Not. The weekly food we pick up is given to our homeless friends. We would not be able to do what we do without this wonderful organization.
The amount of food rescued and redistributed is staggering. We are helping so many families who are food insecure.
This is a very wonderful and rewarding organization to work for.
WNWN has been providing bread and other food products to our rural food bank for the 10 years that I have been volunteering at The Children's Table food bank. Linda, our contact at WNWN, is amazing. She always offers suggestions for the products that they have available. It is not uncommon for me to receive a text from her at 8:30 PM, updating me on any changes in our next days pickup. Throughout the many months of turmoil that Covid presented, WNWN always tried to smooth out the bumps. Despite shortages they managed to provide us with food 99.9% of the time. We can't thank Sandra and her staff enough for their continued support. Last year we provided over 27,000 food boxes to families here in Rural North Central Florida. Almost every one had food supplied by WNWN! Thanks to you and your staff for supporting us. Tom Callahan - Volunteer Manager/Board Member.
After moving to Jacksonville from Ohio I was looking for ways to connect with my new community. I love Waste Not Want Not. The mission is amazing rescuing good food that would be dumped. They then sort/store/distribute to programs that serve people who are in need. The food goes to church pantries, after school programs, community panitries and homeless shelters just to name a few. It is an efficient well run machine. I loved the people I served with and the wonder folks who picked up the food. The names serves the mission well. Waste Not Want Not
This organization's mission and commitment to executing the mission is impressive. I was unaware of the amount of wasted food in my community. It has been amazing to see how Waste Not is able to rescue food from all over Northeast Florida and get it to local families in need.
Being part of the board of this organization is a great joy - knowing we are creating a closed loop system of reducing waste by getting it hungry people is so rewarding. The volunteer driven nature of the nonprofit is truly unique and inspiring.
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Waste Not is a fantastic food rescue that has done so much for the Jacksonville - and broader community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. They continue to provide food to local charities and are adapting as the influx of food changes - from restaurants that go out of business to groceries that have excess. The commitment of the volunteer based team is awesome. I am so proud to be a part of this great organization.
We have been working with WNWN for years and just value our partnership with their team. They are a blessing to our community.
Several year ago our ministry, Love Feeds, had lost its sought of food that was being provided to individuals and families that were near homeless. We went several months without sufficient food to provide individuals that could barely afford to live in a run down motel and have fund left for transportation to work. Waste Not Want Not while not having the resources to add us to a regular rotation, were gracious enough to add us to a standby list. Eventually we did become part of the regular rotation, and our church food pantry was also added. We provide food to people in dire need because Jesus left us that example. It's our way of showing the love of Jesus, and we thank him for Waste Not Want Not being a means for us to show his love
This is such an amazing organization. All the staff and volunteers are easy to work with and very accommodating to each charities/ministries needs. They are a true asset to the community. Some of the organizations and ministries they supply with goods would not be able to operate without their generosity. Waste Not Want Not is a true beacon of light to those in need. Honored to work along such amazing people with a heart for others!
Waste Not Want Not (WNWN) has supported three different organizations with food that I am or have been involved with. My first experience was with an after school tutoring program for low income children. WNWN provided every week after school snack food as well as extra baked goods for the apartment complex where we tutored. Secondly, I currently am the President at a Nonprofit that provides food for families in two cities in our county. WNWN provides us with baked goods and, if they receive extra food items, they will share those as well. The third organization that I am a volunteer with has five residential homes for former inmates. WNWN will provide food items for their monthly dinner and when they have extra food items they always consider asking me if our organization (s) could use them. WNWN’s volunteers are a pleasure to work with and they are passionate about reclaiming food and getting it to those in need. Definitely a 5 star organization!
We are truly grateful that this nonprofit exists! Our church serves our homeless community at an outreach every week called Love Cleans and Waste not want not is a huge part of that! Because of this wonderful organization, we are able to provide food that would’ve otherwise gone in the trash to those who need it most. Thank you waste not want not for helping us with our ministry!
I have known about Waste Not Want Not for about 20 years and have been associated with them in various roles for the past 6 years. I am constantly amazed how WNWN continues to step up and meet the needs of approximately 100 organizations who distribute the saved food items.
Regardless of the weather or even the Covid pandemic, WNWN consistently finds a way to overcome these hurdles and meets the needs of those in less fortunate.
There is an attitude of “Can Do ” which starts with the leadership of the organization and runs through the entire organization which inspires the volunteers to perform and always meet or exceed what’s required each day.
Waste Not Want Not is a unique organization in the sense that the improve there goals of food rescue ( Approximately 2Million lbs. per year the past 2,3 years) with little or no increase in staff or volunteers. I am proud to be associated with Waste Not Want Not.
What a great organization! They reduce food waste by millions of pounds while getting that food back to the people wo need it. And all with the work of dedicated volunteers. "Five stars"!
Volunteering for Waste Not Want Not has been perfect for me in my new season of life. With our son growing up, but not wanting a paying job, this is a perfect fit for me right now. I have helped with pick ups all across town (Trader Joe’s, Publix, and Jaguars) as well as working in the “castle” (it’s where the magic happens!). I have even roped in my family and friends to help as well. The work is deeply rewarding as helping others always proves to be. I look forward to more!
wastenot 09/21/2021
Waste Not would not exists without all of our wonderful, generous volunteers! Thank you for pitching in so cheerfully.
This is an awesome organization. They always provide us with plenty of product to assist us with our food pantry each month. The staff is very pleasant and always tries to assist us any way they can!!!
wastenot 09/21/2021
It is our pleasure to serve you as you serve those in need.
Waste Not Want Not came to my son's school and delivered bread every week. It was very fancy bread and we felt special that we could have something definitely not in our budget. They have hearts of gold and go out of their way to take food that would be thrown out to people who need it. It is a win for everybody.
wastenot 08/11/2021
So glad we can make a difference!
I've had the pleasure of serving with this organization for about (10) years, as well as making financial donations.This is one of the most rewarding, effective volunteer opportunities here in North Fla!! Please come out and volunteer, or if you can't, please donate to a WORTHY cause!!
wastenot 08/12/2021
We love volunteers. We love donors. We really love volunteers who donate. :)
Waste Not Want Not has been the biggest support for the work I am doing at my elementary school's weekend food program. I came to work at a rural elementary school two years ago. I found out that our school is a CEP Title 1. This means our students qualify for free and reduced breakfast and lunch because we have over a 70% poverty rate in the area. Also, our school is located in a food desert. There is not a grocery store for 10 miles around the school, and additionally, the closest convenience store is over 6 miles away. Many students were in desperate need of food on the weekends. We had no funds and big needs. This is where Waste Not Want Not filled the gap for our students. They have consistently provided food for our students. Waste Not not only rescues food from being discarded; they provide this service for free seven days a week 360 days a year. When COVID-19 shut down the school, the volunteers at Waste Not showed up every week through the uncertainty and challenges that it caused. These brave and dedicated volunteers know that they provide a service for the neediest and poorest of all. I am thankful every day for what they do and the service they provide to our community.
I have volunteered with Waste Not in Orange Park for many years and must say it is the most rewarding volunteer work I have ever done. Sandra Staudt-Killea is a great leader of so many volunteers. Her organizational skills make our work so worthwhile. Many groups have been provided much needed food for those in need within their respective communities. Waste Not Want Not Orange Park is a treasure.
I'm just about at my 3 year anniversary volunteering at Waste Not Want Not. I have several routes during the week and also substitute when other volunteers are ill or on vacation. For me, picking up/bagging/sorting food that would otherwise have been thrown away is rewarding in of itself, but the time I do it is also my meditation time every day - it 'centers' me for the rest of the day.
I also get to visit sports venues, produce merchants, farms picking up food that is so quickly distributed ... I drop off by 8 and the recipient groups will have it by noon.
Two photos - one day's recovery from ONE grocery store here in our service area, second is from an amazing organization that clearly needed more than one car load.
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I volunteer at Waste Not / Want Not in Orange Park, Florida. I pick up donated food at grocery stores, restaurants and ad hoc donations that almost immediately get distributed to north Florida well beyond our surrounding counties. We have little administrative costs and only two ridiculously overworked paid employees; the volunteers do this without reimbursement other than a genuine love for what they do and an appreciation for the help we give to people in genuine need for food that would have otherwise been discarded to land fills, etc.
Waste Not has a wonderful heart for the community. As a none profit who works to get food to those in need, Waste Not has worked with us to supply us with the food, for what ever situation we are ministering to, so that we can fulfill that mission. We love the people and there giving hearts.
We are blessed to be a partner with them.
Cupbearer Ministires
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We are Cupbearer Ministries: We are a Homeless Street Ministry whose purpose is to share the Love of Jesus by providing meals, clothing, hygiene items, and other resources as needed. With the assistance of Waste Not Want Not, We serve about 600 meals a week, as well as supplying needs to the under privileged, such as hygiene, clothes, shoes and other needs to get back on their feet. Waste Not Want Not, is a great asset in fulfilling our vision.
Waste Not Want Not has been such a blessing to Saved 2 Serve. This partnership has been such a crucial part in the growth of our ministry. Waste Not Want Not has aided us in serving over 1000 street friend meals monthly and provide grocery items to over 100 families per month. They are always in amazing uplifting mood, and greeted with smiles! May God Continue to Bless WNWN!
Waste Not Want Not has been incredible community partners with Clay County Habitat for many years. They fill every new homeowners refrigerator with food and give them basics like paper towels. This month they went above and beyond for a homeowner. Not only did they fill her refrigerator, they gave her a brand new toaster, coffee maker, plates, glassware, pots and pans, and other kitchen essentials. The homeowner was in tears when speaking of the donation. Waste Not Want Not are a true blessing to our homeowners.
- Clay County Habitat for Humanity
I love this non-profit and even mention them to my law firm clients as a local charity with which to get involved to donate their time or money. Only 2 paid employees and hundreds of volunteers work together to keep millions of pounds of viable food out of the landfills and into the mouths of those in need. I find this group's efforts even more valuable during this ongoing pandemic, when many local food banks were closing down.
Fantastic organization to volunteer for. I picked up food from a Publix store twice a week early morning. I usually got back to the distribution center before it opened but had the code for the door to get in and unload my food. It is a great place to volunteer!
Waste Not Want Not has been helping to supplement our food pantry for well over a decade with delicious breads, sweets, buns and occasionally assorted other food or household goods. They are delightful to deal with, very accommodating to our changing needs, and extremely pleasant at the pick up site. THANK YOU for helping us to help others experiencing food insecurity - sincerely your friends from DESC
My family was the recipient of bread from Waste Not Want Not for several years. The bread always tasted great and I thought it was such a generous act of kindness. I have never forgotten their thoughtfulness to us. It can't be easy to drive from store to store picking up food and distributing it to those in need. This is such an improvement over throwing perfectly good food into the garbage can. Wonderful nonprofit.
A little over a year ago, I started personally devoting my time to this organization. I have had previous knowledge of this organization through a few friends but upon my retirement I committed to helping unload Snapple Trucks on Thursday. Through this involvement and my relationship with the Director, Sandra, my knowledge has grown considerably.
I have learned that this great program provides food to organizations throughout an extremely large different areas of NorthEast Florida from Palatka to the North Side of Jax. From Macliney to the beaches. A small army of volunteers come to this centralized location known as the "Castle" and ensure that the food gets those who are hungry.
The volunteers vary from the very young to those who are in later chapters of their lives but realize they can make a difference for their neighbors year around. I am not a believer is government solving our social problems and in my opinion, this force is showing that we can make a difference of distributing food that is not moving off the shelves and leftover in the restaurants throughout our area.
I never realized all the food waste that happens before a product even has a chance to make it to our homes/restaurants!! So much available for so many....and Waste Not Want Not prevents that discarding of food and uses it to fight hunger and poverty in our community!!! This rescuing of food daily from numerous places, grocery stores, markets, bakeries, etc for distribution to local organizations is so amazing and needed and helps sooo many! And it’s done all through volunteers! Thanks for making us aware and being the change! Save the food, share the food...such a win-win!
Waste Not! Want Not! is a beautifully choreographed, very professional organization that is instrumental in helping feed hundreds of thousands of people each year with reclaimed food. The longevity of Waste Not! is a testament to how well it is managed. Working out of a tiny warehouse, it is amazing to watch the volunteers deliver their hundreds of pounds of gleaned food every day, provided by stores and restaurants. More volunteers arrive to package this newly arrived food for the humanitarian groups to arrive and pickup. By 1:00 pm the food is gone, totally free to the recipients. It's a well-oiled lovely machine fueled by love.
St, Francis soup Kitchen has benefited tremendously over the years by Waste Not Want Not's efforts, responsiveness and resources. This directly benefited thousands of our customers, the poorest of the poor. This agency is dynamic as are it's staff and volunteers. All their efforts have enabled us to serve and provide high quality nourishing meals.
We are very grateful to Waste Not Want Not for all it has done for our customers. Tremendous!!
peace
Jim
At Celebration Church we have many outreaches that serve our community. One of those is sourced by Waste Not Want Not. We receive the best of foods and the quantity is always exactly what we need to feed those in need.
Waste Not Want Not is a Food rescues dream .The team of volunteers work 7 days a week to recycle food to supply food banks, backpack programs , church’s and many other programs thru out Jax Clay and Putnam . Thank you for all you do
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waste not want not is a food rescue non profit that works 7 days a week to supply food to groups like Feed The Need of Putnam , A back Pack program we are feeding over 850 children each weekend supplying food to teachers in schools in Putnsm county without the volunteers that work at WNWN our group would struggle to meet its demands . A big shout out goes to all that are associated with this organization Denise Bramlitt with Feed The Need Of Putnam Back Pack Program
Waste Not Want Not's contribution to waste and hunger prevention is significant. For those interested in details and statistics, I would point you to their website https://wastenotflorida.com/about-waste-not-want-not/what-we-do-and-our-impact/. What you will not find there is the impact this organization has on its volunteers. Waste Not strives everyday to not only serve its beneficiaries but also those people who volunteer their time and talents. Waste Not believes everyone can contribute, from young children to senior citizens. I spent many hours as an elementary schooler sorting canned vegetables, carrying bags of bread in from cars one at a time, and putting donation stickers on boxes of baked goods. I met fellow volunteers of different races, ages, socioeconomic statuses, religions; we all worked together in pursuit of serving our community. Waste Not is lovely place to work and provides its volunteers with a sense of purpose. Whether you are a high schooler looking to earn service hours or a retiree with time on your hands, I highly recommend Waste Not Want Not.
This amazing organization was founded by someone who truly cares about helping other people. Sandra saw the need and set things in motion so that Waste Not could become the mainstay that it is in so many people’s lives. A visit a few years ago impressed me even further, to see how it’s run like a well-oiled machine and to see the appreciation on the faces of those getting food for their organizations tugged at the heart.
I became a volunteer May 2018. I work 1 day a week in the "Castle" . I found Waste Not Want Not while crossing the Buckman Bridge and saw their truck. I immediately looked them up and signed up to be a volunteer. I attended the orientation and knew I needed to work there. Everyday I am amazed at the amount of food we rescue and redistribute. Most of this food is perfectly ok and would have ended up in the dump instead of at our doors. Thank you to all the grocery stores and restaurants who donate to us daily.
Our "clients" are some of the most amazing people I have had the honor to meet. They are so grateful for what we do and I am grateful for what they do. Our organizations work very well together.
Waste Not Want Not provides a tremendous service assisting those who are in need. We at the Kitchens of Clay County have worked closely with Sandra and her team in Orange Park for several years and find them easy to work with and extremely valuable in our community.
Thank you Waste Not Want Not for all your support.
This nonprofit does so much with their resources that they constantly astound me. They rescue over 2 million pounds of food annually to 10 counties in Northeast Florida with only two paid staff and a host of volunteers - that is 6,000 pounds a day! That is why I nominated the Executive Director, Sandra Staudt-Killea, as a Community Champion and she was honored at the first Jaguars game this year. Way to go, TIAA Bank, for wisely recognizing a true hometown hero! Our church runs the Soup Kitchen in Green Cove Springs once a month, and we truly appreciate the generous food donations we receive from Waste Not Want Not. Over 25% of food is discarded and Sandra and her team are valiantly working to rescue as much as they can with their resources. You will not regret giving to or being involved with this organization.
Thank you! You have made a real difference in the lives of the kids we serve. Thanks to you, 60 children will go to bed full, well-nourished, and better off than the night before.
Waste Not Want Not provides food to children and families at Don’t Miss A Beat (DMAB) Afterschool (kids & teens 5-18 yrs), Creatively Young (toddlers 2-4 yrs.), Seniors (55+) and Summer Camp Programs.
Afterschool Programs
Waste Not provides food, snacks & drinks to 60-75 children & teens daily in our Homework Assistance and Academy of the Arts Programs daily. After a long day at school, the kids arrive at the center hungry. They look foward to the provisions provided by Waste Not.
Creatively Young Program
Because of the food we receive from Waste Not, DMAB provides snack bags to 30 toddlers who participates in bi-weekly artistic activities at local Child care facilities in the Jacksonville area.
Senior Nutrition Centers and DMAB Families
Because of the generosity of Waste Not, DMAB is able to share the fresh fruit, food, vegetables and pastries we receive weekly with about 50 seniors at an area nutrition center. In addition, the bounty DMAB receive from Waste Not helps the families who are experiencing financial hardship and need temporary help through a crisis.
Summer Camp
Because of Waste Not Want Not, DMAB is able to provide breakfast and snacks to 130 children daily in our summer camp program. Their donation ensures that children from low income families receive a hot breakfast everyday.
Waste Not Want Not provides a valuable service to agencies in the Jacksonville area. Because of their food recovery program, Don’t Miss A Beat is able to reach numerous people at every level. Thank you Waste Not Want Not Staff for all you you do.
Our food pantry at Southpoint Seventh Day Adventist Church serves over 2,000 individuals on average from our community every month. Thanks to the lovely staff at Waste Not Want Not, we are able to distribute various food items weekly on Mondays 7 - 8 p.m. and Fridays 1 - 3 p.m.
Waste Not Want Not supplies us weekly with drinks, dry goods, breads, pastries, dairy, and we are super excited and grateful to be partnered with this organization. The staff is very friendly and go above and beyond to accommodate us. Items in their building are organized in such an efficient manner allowing for speedy distribution. There is such a willingness to serve their community, that it overflows into our ministry as well.
Waste Not Want Not is surely making a positive impact in our community and we trust that God will continue to prosper their endeavors.
What a wonderful organization Waste Not Want Not is. Not only do they distribute almost 2 million pounds of food locally, they help our organization throughout each year. They provide donations of food for homeowners, future homeowners and college students who come to our County each year to help a deserving low income family build a home. Each year, a minimum of 20 students spend their Spring Break constructing houses to be occupied by these families which usually includes at least one to six children. The food Waste Not donates is enough for the college students to have up to 3 meals per day for 6 days. The students love coming here to volunteer and they state the great food we have is a BIG incentive. Waste Not Want Not also provides food for our Home Dedications and many other events we have throughout the year. They are truly a blessing to our organization and we are fortunate to have them as our community partner.
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For more than 10 years Waste Not Want Not has been a driving force for rescuing food in Clay County. They do an incredible job, with only a handful of extremely dedicated volunteers. This organization works tirelessly to make sure donations of food and drinks go to those in need.
Being a nonprofit organization, Waste Not Want Not understands the value of every donation. It is of the utmost importance that we be good stewards of the gifts the community shares with us.
Each year our organization sponsors 20 college students, who come from all over the country, to participate in a one week home construction build. Every year, Waste Not Want Not provides breakfast meals, drinks and snacks for these students. Let me tell you this is a significant savings for our organization and the students are always so grateful. I am sure many of you can remember what it was like to be in college with very little money. Good meals are hard to come by. The students love these meals!
That's just one of the many things Waste Not Want Not does for this community and Clay County Habitat for Humanity is proud to be a partner with this wonderful organization. We wholeheartedly commend them for the wonderful good they do.
I have been a volunteer. I spent 6 years on the Board of Directors. I have been the treasurer of Waste Not Want Not for the past 10 years. Every time I tell someone new about the mission of Waste Not, they are in awe. To think that someone can volunteer to spend an hour of their time to drive to a grocery store or restaurant, pick up perfectly good food that would otherwise be discarded, return it to Waste Not Want Not so that it can be distributed through its extensive net work of charities who feed the hungry and have that food end up on the dinner table of someone in need that same or next day is truly amazing. In 2017 Waste Not Want Not rescued over 2 million pounds of perfectly good food. With the food that it discarded every day, no one in this country should every go hungry.
I have been with Waste Not now for about 10 years. I have held several positions within the organization and have had a wonderful and fullfillng experience doing so. Let me tell you about a recent humbling experience. I was working in the Waste Not booth at the Orange Park, FL annual Fall Festival a few weeks ago. It was a beautiful Fall day and I was having a great time talking to people about Waste Not as they came by the booth. A young lady, in her 20's with a toddler in tow, stopped. She told me that she recognized the name, Waste Not, because she was receiving assistance from one of our recipient groups and knew that much of the food she was getting came from Waste Not. She just wanted to say "thank you". She made my day!
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Waste Not Want Not is made up of an incredible group of volunteers, donating their time and treasure to help Waste Not Want Not and the groups they support, eliminate waste and at the same time, help reduce hunger and poverty in Northeast Florida.
My journey with Waste Not began in 2007 when Waste Not was looking for a Realtor to help find them a new home. In 2008 they moved in to a new location with room to grow, and grow they have. I soon began to volunteer to pick up food from a local store of a large grocery chain. I remember the feeling I had that first time, driving back to Waste Not, my SUV smelling like a bakery, knowing that I was helping them keep food out of the land fill and getting it into the hands of local groups that would be feeding the hungry that same evening. In 2016, these groups will save over $3 million by not have to go out and purchase the food that is provided to them by Waste Not. $3 million that they can use for other needs of their mission.
I am very proud to be associated with Waste Not Want Not and to be a part of what they have accomplished in the past 27 years.
Until I started picking up bread/food from Waste Not Want Not for our food pantry I had no idea of the scope of this non profit's work. They provide food for nonprofit agencies in TEN counties. TEN. They are AMAZING. Food is collected (by volunteers) from restaurants and grocery stores. That food is sorted and distributed (by volunteers) and turned around as fast as they can which is usually the same day to non profits like our food pantry. I hesitate to call it a well oiled machine because every volunteer I come in contact with has a servants heart and is full of cheer.. even in the sweltering heat. Their mission to fill bellies and make sure good food doesn't go to waste is personal to them. AMAZING indeed.
My respect for this charity continues to increase over the years. As more food sources (grocery stores and restaurants) recognize how dependable this group is, day in day out, almost every day of the year, the amount of food rescued and redistributed to those in need grows. I am forever amazed at how much food we save from the landfill and how many people benefit from it. As someone who worked for large corporations that bullied me into donating to nonprofits with massive payrolls, I vastly prefer to donate my time and money to a charity where every dollar really does get used toward a better community.
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Volunteering and donating to charity are both important parts of my life as a community member and I want every hour and dollar donated to count. With Waste Not Want Not, the return on my investment is incredible. I'm forever impressed by how much food we keep from the landfills and get into the mouths of people who would otherwise be hungry (needlessly). Beyond the great accomplishments WNWN achieves in rescuing food, I'm also impressed by how easy it is for kids to get involved; they contribute labor, but also learn valuable lessons about people outside their daily lives and the benefits of volunteering.
I am a volunteer at Waste Not Want Not, which is wonderful nonprofit rescuing food and distributing it to the needy of northeast Florida. Our dedicated volunteers make daily pickups at grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, beverage distributors, and other sources. The rescued food is then sorted and consolidated into allotments specific to the needs of our nonprofit recipient groups.
Waste Not is a great way to serve two causes, the environment and the less fortunate. Waste Not expects to distribute over two million pounds of food this year to those in need. Please consider donating your time or money to Waste Not Want Not. Each $10 raised generates 140 pounds of food for those in need.
I work for a nonprofit, Pie in the Sky, we feed fruits and vegetables to seniors living below the poverty line in St John's County and Waste Not Want Not contacted our Director and asked if we could use bread and sweets for our seniors. We said yes and the rest as they say is history. We have been able to provide high quality bread and baked goods to our seniors every other week. Goods that would be out of their price range at the supermarket. Waste Not Want Not is an organization that is run professionally and with a great caring heart. We appreciate want they provide and our seniors are thrilled.
This is an outstanding nonprofit in every way. By rescuing food that would otherwise be discarded, its 270 volunteers were able to provide 1.9 million pounds of food to those in need last year. I volunteer for the organization and get a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that my efforts have an immediate and significant impact on nearby communities. After working with this nonprofit and seeing the dedication of its volunteers, executive director, volunteer coordinator and board, I became a donor. There's no doubt in my mind that I'm contributing to an organization that's really making a difference!
I am writing for a soup kitchen that directly benefits from Waste Not-Want Not's program of food distribution. We have been receiving food products from Waste Not-Want Not for a number of years and their food gleaning has permitted our kitchen to provide more balanced and flavorful meals. The sauces they donate make our soups a more flavorful product; also the side dishes and desserts are of a better variety and quality. We receive a substantial amount and assortment of beverages to complement our meals, which have been a blessing for our guests. As long as I have been affiliated with this organization, the staff has been cheerful and helpful and I am pleased to work with this organization.
Putnam County Bread of Life, Art Harnack
My son began volunteering over a year ago to get community service hours for Bright Futures Scholarship efforts. He continued beyond his 100 hours minimum requirement.
As I learned more from the Exec. Director and the then Volunteer Coordinator (the only two paid personnel) about operations and while helping with last years hosting of the annual Community Yard Sale, I wanted to help more. I was recruited to Chair the 2016 Community Yard Sale (WNWN's biggest fundraising event) and am amazed at how many ways there are to help this great entity help folks in 10 counties in northeast Florida.
100% donated funding and volunteer work force is what keeps it working. 363 days a year they are picking up, lableing, sorting, boxing, moving, stacking, sweating, phoning, planning, selling, speaking, donating, visiting and all because they know it is worth it. "Rescuing" food from being wasted by distribution centers, stores, restaurants, farms, gardens and area events to help feed those in our local communities in need and who are struggling. I am so proud to be part of this great group of people helping people!
Every week my husband and I pick up five to nine overflowing shopping carts of food that will expire shortly if not used. This food is donated by the large grocery stores in the area. It's taken to a holding area to be distributed to the needy. We feel like we are doing a valuable service by getting this food to people that need it rather than filling a dumpster. When we think of the many other volunteers that are picking up food from the other grocery stores at the same time, it is mind boggling. We're happy to be be serving our community in this small way.
Having worked with Sandra and some of the wonderful volunteers involved with Waste Not Want Not, I can truly say that Sandra runs a fantastic organization that benefits so many of our neighbors. With 100% of the funding coming from donations, there is a huge amount of faith and sweat equity in this organization.
Waste Not is a truly valuable entity that I'm grateful to be a part of. With all of the negative news about the darkness within humanity day after day, it is incredibly refreshing to volunteer some time with Waste Not and see nothing but the goodness of humanity to boost the spirit. People volunteering their time, day after day, in tight conditions, even without the full motivation of seeing the incredible end result of their hard work, because they know how important their work is to so many people.
Hunger reflects something that is wrong with our country, as their is plenty of food for everyone. Waste Not reflects what is right...the desire and dedication of so many to help people with such an important necessity of life. Waste Not's operational model is intelligent, bringing donors and receivers together to benefit so many year-round (not just Thanksgiving and Christmas) and to reduce food waste. With very few paid salaries to operate it, a dedicated board, and many partners in the community, Waste Not is what I view a "great nonprofit" being.
I'm a volunteer, who otherwise works elsewhere full-time for a 6-figure salary. I truly get more satisfaction and motivation offering my time for free at Waste Not, then in my salaried job. I'm grateful to be part of a non-profit that uses its donations to actually help people in need...day after day.
My wife and I started volunteering at Waste Not Want Not over 6 years ago. We love this organization. Our executive director has a passion beyond belief. Our volunteer coordinators, past and present, are amazing. We have a wonderful group of volunteers who give their time and treasures to help us fight hunger and poverty in our community. I am so happy that we chose to serve with all of the special people at Waste Not Want Not.
waste not want not is a real class act when it comes to donating food the staff they have is the best around
The Magnolia Point Women's Club started feeding children at our local elementary school, Charles E. Bennett, by becoming a provider in the Blessings In A Backpack program, with funds through member sponsorships and grants.
Waste Not Want Not has provided great partnership over the past 4 years in our effort to feed elementary school children with our project, by supplementing our nutritional menus with items they donated.
We can only agree wholeheartedly with all the positive comments about this wide-reaching organization. We have been aware of Waste Not Want Not's huge positive impact on our communities for over 15 years. We first became aware of this local non-profit and their imposing volunteer force when our church's outreach program needed food to feed the homeless in our county. Waste Not Want Not was the first to offer food on an ongoing basis. Years later we began volunteering for them and learned how they rescue food from a wide variety of donors. We saw our neighbors and friends benefiting from the combined efforts of our fellow volunteers. We saw charity after charity identify their needs in order to help their own communities and we realized we were part of an organization providing foods for hundreds! Over the years we watched with pride, as Waste Not Want Not rescued more and more food items, preventing waste, protecting our environment, and most important , providing food to those most hungry. They provide for hungry children, families and seniors across ten counties in North Florida. Their volunteers are by far some of the most dedicated people we know. The countless benefits of being part of such a group are multiplied tenfold when you realize you are a small part of an organization that affects 10's of thousands of lives each week and makes them better! Now that is GREAT!
This "charity" has NO compassion for anyone! I was doing community service there and all of them said how much of a hard, good worker I was!! Then my husband had throat cancer and had to have throat surgery! He has to do proton radiation everyday and chemotherapy 1 time a week! Then I had to go back and forth to the hospital for my medical issues! They said it's ok that they would work with me! Ha! That was a lie! Now they won't let me go back and finish my community service because I had to take care of my family and they said it was ok to do that and when everything was a little better I could come back and finish my hours!! Well now I can't! Becky told me that I can not come back just because I was taking care of my family and I took their word for it that I can come back! They are liars and does not care about anyone!! They are a bad "charity!!"
Bread of Life is a soup kitchen located in Palatka Florida. We serve a lot lunch 7 days a week. The food we receive from Waste Nor Want Not greatly helps us to do so. We serve over 19,000 meals a year. The food we receive from then plays a very vital role in helping us to do so. Drinks, bread, cake, meats, seafood, soup - the list is endless.
I have been volunteering with WNWN for 2 years now and plan to continue. The fact that there are only two employees but hundreds of volunteers tells me the organization is frugal and dedicated to their mission. I volunteer on the 'collection' side of things rather than the distribution side so I don't deal with the recipients on a regular basis. However, it is worth noting that the donors often express their thanks for our taking the time to collect food to provide for the less fortunate.
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Volunteering for Waste Not Want Not is a very rewarding experience. It is wonderful to know that my efforts and that of the other volunteers is providing so much help to the community. I interact with a couple different large providers of the food stuffs. They thank us for taking our time and energy to assist them in donating to a great, nonprofit, volunteer based organization.
George Borawski
wastenot 10/31/2014
Thank you, George, for all your help and your willingness to drive our truck even for last minute opportunities. Without volunteers like you, Waste Not Want Not would not exist.
My husband and I have been volunteering for about 4 1/2 yrs now. It is exciting to know that I have the privilege of helping people receive food when they would otherwise go without . I had never heard of a food rescue group, but now I am a part of it. Just think, the small bit that I add is multiplied hundreds of times over and over again. But it takes money to keep the electricity on and gas for the truck that is used to pick up items at the warehouses that are kind enough to donate to us. SO, we also donate money. Won't you give a little to make someone else's life better? You will be glad you did. PM
I have been a volunteer for 4 years & am constantly amazed at the amount of food that is donated to WNWN - considering that much of that would be thrown away. The operation of collection, sorting, distribution is quiet the process to follow. Volunteers come together to make this the great organization it is & the services it provides.
Waste not want not rescues and provides 1.5 million pounds of nearly out of date and surplus food to qualified charities all over north east Florida all through volunteers.
I started volunteering for waste not want not 10 years ago. I have never found anything more positive and inspiring before. This organization uses volunteers and their time and cars to "Rescue" food from donors in the retail and wholesale food industry locally that would otherwise be discarded. The collections are returned to a central facility where over 60 non-profit orgs. pick up this food at no charge to support their missions working with the disadvantaged. the retailers get a tax deduction, the volunteers get their hearts tugged, and the pick up groups offset their program costs so they can focus upon their primary mission. absolutely amazing!!
I have been a volunteer for WNWN since its inception. It is an amazing organization with amazing volunteers and leadership. The amount of food rescued each day and delivered to people in need is incredible . I am very proud to be a team member of this wonderful organization.
I am amazed at the passion and excitement of our volunteers who pick up the food from our donors and distribute it to those in need. Countless lives have been impacted and I am excited to be part of such a great organization.
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I joined the board of this organization recently because of the great work they do rescuing food that would otherwise be thrown away and distributing it to those in need. I think they have a lot of potential to grow and serve even more people in our community, so I am excited to serve on the board to help them move forward!!
A truly amazing organizationorganization that rescues food and other items so that people do not go hungry or without the basic essentials for life. The volunteers are second to nonenone and incorporate a team spirit to get things done!
St Francis Soup Kitchen feeds over 600 people on average per week. Our servings include full plate dinners and soup and sandwiches which we alternate. For many years back into the 1990's the Soup Kitchen has benefitted from its association with Waste Not Want Not.
Each week we receive dozens of loaves of bread, baked goods, occasionally drinks, frozen soups and fried chicken. We use all that we receive. The fact is that the Soup kitchen could not serve the community's neediest and destitute with out Waste Not Want Not's support and contribution. We are dependent on them and they are completely dependable. As a Plus, the people we deal with are very nice, professional and responsible; the best!
Well, they did it again! Rescued nearly 2 million pounds of food and saved charities close to $4 million that they would have spent on food. In fact Waste Not Want Not has been doing this for the past 25 years! What I love about volunteering with Waste Not there are so many opportunities and ways to help. Waste Not has 2 paid employees, an Executive Director and Volunteer Coordinator. Two employees cannot begin to get everything done needed to run a business. This is why their volunteer base is so important, there are so many opportunities to help from admin, marketing, putting stickers on food. When I give money to Waste Not I know the funds are being used wisely. For every $1 spent Waste Not provided $27 worth of food to hungry people in 10 counties of north Florida. By being involved with Waste Not I know that I have made a difference in the lives of those who need help.
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Thanks To the volunteers who pick up a perfectly good food from merchants to distribute to the needy. ❤️ thanks to Publix, Panera bread, and other merchants for their donations to your organization. I, for one, enjoy the bread that is delivered to the local senior center, as do many other elderly participants
The looks of gratitude and heartfelt "thank yous" uttered by the recipients to the volunteers at Waste Not Want Not are why I have been with it for several decades. By rescuing and redistributing so many tons of food and other products to so many organizations, we volunteers are truly able to "do unto others...", and it makes me and all the people I work with happy to be part of such a team.
It's so well organized that the time spent there gives truly efficient results. We accomplish our assigned tasks and leave there knowing we have the gratitude of hundreds of people who we have helped that day.
wastenot 10/31/2014
Mary, I believe you are our second longest-term volunteer. Maybe you can help write a brief history of Waste Not Want Not for our 25th Anniversary coming up in 2015... Thank you for volunteering, jumping in wherever and whenever needed, and always smiling.
The results of the redistribution efforts by Waste Not Want Not are absolutely amazing. Two million pounds of good food that would have ended up in our over-used disposal facilities have been provided to non-profit agencies that feed the poor and needy. Most of Waste Not Want Not's effort is sustained by volunteers as directed by Sandra, an outstanding Executive Director.
WNWN is one of the most remarkable volunteer non-profits ever! The amount of food they gather from over 100 sites and redistribute to over 100 food serving non-profits all in the same day has to be witnessed to be believed! The 1,000,000+ tons of food saved/given out per year is only made possible by the selfless dedication of a small staff of 2 and a volunteer "army" of over 100! What a group!
I volunteer for several nonprofit organizations and Waste Not Want Not always get priority on my time and monthly financial donations. I have been volunteering in many areas of Waste Not Want Not for over ten years. In that time I have met many great people that have the same passion, "to help those in need." Russ Kamradt
This is a volunteer-forward organization. It is fueled primarily by its top-notch volunteers. Waste Not Want Not is efficient and runs on a surprisingly lean budget. Its efforts fill two existing needs: to eliminate food waste and to redistribute that food to the hungry. I'm proud to be associated with this remarkable organization.
From the moment I had contact with this organization, I was impressed beyond words. What they do, what they are able to accomplish and how many lives they affect on a daily basis is nothing short of phenomenal. If there was such a group in every county of every state, imagine the food that could be rescued and the impact on hunger it would have.
Thank you Waste Not Want Not for the diligence you show every day and the compassion and care you exemplify in feeding the hungry. You are a role model for all of us and an example of how we can all do more and do better.
Keep up the great work.
Malea Guiriba, Director
Pie in the Sky
wastenot 10/31/2014
Thank you, Malea! It is a pleasure working with you and others from Pie in the Sky. I also admire your work creating Farm to Family which brings farm fresh produce to food desserts in St. Johns County. When will you be replicating that in Clay and Duval?
I have been volunteering with WNWN for 3 year now. I love what we about helping people in need.
To see the smiles on our Clients we severed is priceless.
This organization goes to different restaurants and stores and collects food that is still edible but not suitable for selling (expiration date coming up soon). Waste not Want Not delivers the food to agencies that can distribute it to clients in need. Some examples would be group homes, senior citizens day care/place to hang out during the day, and schools. I know about schools because for years my son who attends a special needs school would bring home bread. Sometimes the bread was plain, sometimes it was very fancy, but always it was gratefully received. The families of special needs people often face expenses other families don't have so to have one less thing to buy at the store was a true gift. In fact, because of their generosity, I tried to send them financial donations as I was able, largely due to the savings on bread. I also am a recycling person, so I was so proud to see how they keep this food out of the landfills. They are a tremendous asset to our community.
Waste Not Want Not, just like your Grandmother used to say! WNWN provides a wonderful service by picking up local businesses food/drinks that are considered not sellable. The fact if the matter is, we as a society are spoiled rotten and ungrateful. What we toss out as "waste" would be considered a feast by a whole lot if lesser privileged people. We don't buy fruit/vegetables if they are not up to our visual standards. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the food itself, we are just THAT ridiculous. WNWN takes that food and gives it to the needy. They depend wholly on volunteers and donors. I am so proud to be affiliated with this much needed service. WNWN should branch out to all corners of the earth!
I volunteered through my church, and I was always impressed at how dedicated they are to saving useable food and feeding our area's hungry. Great leadership and great community outreach!!
I began working for Waste Not Want Not several yeas ago, after quitting a paid job I was dissatisfied with. Looking for a volunteer job a friend suggested I try WNWN. My first day on the job, picking up food from one of our local grocery stores to working sorting and distributing much needed food I knew this was the job for me. I soon was put in charge of Wed. & Friday distribution for approximately six to ten groups/day. We have approximately 65 groups which we serve on a weekly basis. The people I work with along with people we serve are the best. We are not just volunteers we are family. Recently my mother came to visit and I needed a wheelchair and walker and everyone I asked came through for me. Thank You!!!. Our organization has become the pilot program for others in the counties of food recovery. Like it was said today in 90 degree weather you couldn't pay me to do this job but I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be because without us many people would go hungry.
At James Weldon Johnson Academic and Career Training Center, our students are 1-3 years overage for grade level. Additionally, our community does not have a great number of food outlets, such as comprehensive grocery stores, and many of our students qualify for free and/or reduced lunch status. As a result, there is a tremendous need among our students for good, consistent nutritional snacks and food products. Waste Not Want Not has been a highly caring, supportive, and helpful partner for our school since January of 2012. Since that time, Waste Not Want Not has provided snacks and foods for our after-school program and, during the summer of 2013, provided tremendous snacks and food products for our Summer Camp. Waste Not Want Not has made a tremendous difference in the lives of our students through their support. I remember during our Summer Camp, students would invariably ask at the beginning of the day: "What's for snack this afternoon?" They would often ask this before they would ask about field trips, or what the activities for that day were. This is an indication of just how much the nutritional support, provided to them by Waste Not Want Not, meant to them. I only know this; Waste Not Want Not, through their efficiency of non-profit operations, combined with a loving and caring outlook and decication towards those in our world who are in need, has made an indelible difference in the lives of the children that we serve, and they are an indispensable part of our efforts to make a difference in the lives of our students.
The team at Waste Not Want Not are just fabulous! They help our ministry by supplying much needed food for the meals we prepare for the senior citizens we serve. We take seniors on day-long mission trips and serve a hot meal for the entire team. 18 - 48 seniors are fed a great meal from the recaptured food that WNWN gives us.
WNWN saves Seniors on a Mission thousands of dollars each year. Thank you!!!
This is by far the most efficient food recovery organization, that i have ever had the pleasure being involved with. Organizational skills of staff and volunteers is exceptional. Keep giving it all you got and thanks for being part of the community.
The efficiency and generosity of this group are phenomenal! Like a well-oiled machine, on each day they gather food throughout the area and redistribute it to nonprofits assisting impoverished people. Throughout the year they have given us truckloads of food-juice, applesauce, snacks, pastries-allowing us to nearly double the amount of weekend food we provide for children. And to think that without this group, all that food would go to waste...!
Waste Not Want Not is a Volunteer-Based Group that exists to prevent the discarding of items that can be used to fight hunger and poverty in N. E. Florida. We receive and distribute 362 days a year.Contributions are pick up by volunteers (in their own vehicles) from supermarkets and restaurants and warehouses for large grocery chains. WNWN has picked up and distributed over 1.5 million pounds of food this past year and will grow by over 15 % this year.
I am a lucky person to be working for this fine organization and I salute our dedicated volunteers!!
Waste Not Want Not is one of the best run non-profits in our area. On behalf of MPWC Charities, I commend this organization for what they do for the community. MPWC has made monetary donations to this charity for several years and have researched them thoroughly. They are an efficient, effective non-profit. Because we have similar missions, we feel we are able work together to achieve the greatest good.
I started as a volunteer, just based on the wonderful name of this non-profit. It so inspired me, and the other folks I worked along side, everyone so dedicated to helping others, it was impossible not to get enthusiastic! When I was asked to join the board, I was flattered. I am so fortunate to have spent a few years with this group, planning ways to increase both our donors and our recipients, motivating our volunteer-only staff, and planning for growth of the organization. Saving and redistributing over a million pounds of food each year made me even prouder of our concentrated efforts. Being part of the expansion into larger space was an example of the good work they do. We distributed food as usual on Friday and Monday morning we were completely moved into new space and filling the recipients cars and trucks with healthy food. The only reason I no longer work with the wonderful folks is that I moved 1500 miles away!
I volunteer with Kairos Prison Ministry, Inc. We conduct 3 day Christain based retreats in 5 state prisons in the NE Florida area. Waste Not Want Not (WNWN) helps us with cookies that we distribute to the inmates during the weekend as snacks and dessert for meals that we eat together. The volunteers at WNWN are really great, easy to work with and always helpful. Many organizations are much larger than the Kairos ministry but WNWN always finds time to help us in our need. I thank God for the retail stores in our area that are willing to allow WNWN to redistribute this food to so many needy organizations. I also thank God for the many volunteers that make WNWN work so well.
I have had the honor of volunteering at Waste Not Want Not for the last 4 years. I was in search of a local charity where I could make a difference. I found that at Waste Not!
The dedication and generosity of spirit of the volunteers is contagious! To be a part of an organization focused on rescuing food so that others might benefit is humbling and gratifying.
Food is not wasted and people, who would otherwise go without, are fed!
It is a win - win situation.
Waste Note Want Not's supprt has allowed our church to begin our Missions Kitchen outreach. We are serving hot dinners to those in our community once a month and the numbers of attendees continue to increase. The first night, four people attended. Over the past five months, that number has increased to 40. We feel very blessed to have the opportunity to serve these meals to those who really need them and without Waste Not Want's provision of food, we would not have ben able to continue this mission.