Mission: GLEANING AMERICA'S FIELDS - FEEDING AMERICA'S HUNGRY. Founded in 1979. 20 to 30 million pounds of fresh produce is saved each year by the Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) and donated to feed the hungry nationwide. SoSA's Gleaning Network uses tens of thousands of volunteers to glean farmers' fields and orchards after harvest for nutritious produce that would otherwise be plowed under or left to rot. SoSA's Potato & Produce Project salvages truckloads of perfectly good but commercially unmarketable potatoes and other produce donated by members of the agricultural community. All of this food is then delivered and donated to food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other critical service agencies in the 48 contiguous states. These agencies, in turn, distribute the food directly to the needy. SoSA's Harvest of Hope program educates people about the hunger problem and encourages them to make lifelong commitments to being part of the solution. The Society of St. Andrew is a faith-based ecumenical nonprofit organization adhering to the highest standards of good stewardship. It maintains an operational overhead of under 10%, resulting in more than 90 cents of every donated dollar going directly to providing food for the hungry.
Target demographics: hungry Americans
Direct beneficiaries per year: tens of millions of people
Geographic areas served: United States - 48 contiguous states
Programs: 100 million servings of fresh fruits and vegetables
Society of St. Andrew is great way for individuals and families to learn about hunger in their own communities and how they can help alleviate it. Anyone can signup to glean crops that will not go to market and will be tilled into the ground. Over 20 years ago, I heard our pastor tell his story of driving a truck to deliver potatoes that were gleaned by SoSA volunteers. Since then, I have gleaned turnips, tomatoes, apples, sweet potatoes, corn, grapes, assorted greens, and strawberries. Family and friends have helped too. We have always had a grand time doing it and there is inspiring comraderie among the volunteers while gleaning. Giving children of all ages the opportunity to see where there food comes from is a memorable experience.
Gleaning is a great way to help the hungry and malnourished receive fresh produce. Through the Society of St. Andrew, I was contacted to glean mustard greens in a local field where it had been arranged with the farmer for a team of volunteers to harvest these beautiful "vegees". Also, I invited a few Habitat for Humanity residents and an unemployed individual to also glean for their families and others in need. It averages about 2 cents per serving for the fresh produce that is gleaned to get where it is needed. What a bargain! It's a great way to save produce that would have been turned under to rot, feed those who can't afford fresh produce, and meet like minded individuals interested in feeding thosed in need. I support SoSA with my time, and resources. Getting the word out to recruit farmers with produce to be gleaned and lining up new volunteers to help glean and deliver is a challenge.
This is my second year working as a volunteer for the Reuters YMCA doing gleaning directed by Deidre in the Asheville area. This organization has a great staff and Deidre is very organized and committed to her volunteers. I have helped with several special projects for school children at Mills River Farms and it has been a joy watching these youngsters learn about farming and how to be good stewards of our land. So much is shared when we all work to help those that are less fortunate than ourselves. Thank you Society of St. Andrew for being there and providing me with the opportunity to help others. Sandy Arnold
We could not adequately meet the need in Western North Carolina without the help of Society of St. Andrew. They open doors to thousands of pounds of wonderful healthy foods for our neighbors who need food support. Our volunteers enjoy the gleaning events and look forward to the experiences. They are always well organized and yield more than we had expected. I can't thank Deidre Duffy and her team enough for all they do. It's a true blessing for this community to have Society of St. Andrew among us. Bruce Ganger Executive Director Bounty & Soul www.bountyandsoul.org
SOSA is such a blessing to the folks in middle Tennessee. We have gleaned with them and they care so much about getting the best products they can get to the places that need them most. Kelsey Miller has been great communicating with us about where and when we can glean and the best places in need of help feeding hungry residents.
SoSA accomplishes more with their funds than any other organization I know. Getting food to food banks is one thing wonderful, but they also incorporate so many learning experiences with gleaning, VBS materials, Advent and Lenten devotion materials, and I love their every year unique donation Christmas cards.
I have always been enthused about the mission and work of Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) - the principle of salvaging use-able fresh foods and sharing it with food banks so that it goes directly to people who can use it. Gleaning events are hands-on and inter-generational, and the Harvest of Hope programs are longer sessions which include spiritual and educational components. I love the annual Christmas "donor" cards with their unique and inspirational art. I always look for ways to promote and support SoSA.
SoSA feeds the hungry around this country by gleaning nutritious, delicious food from the fields and transporting the food to food banks and agencies - volunteer gleaners keep food from spoiling in the fields, and food insecure individuals & families benefit from the fresh, nutritious fruits & vegetables! A win-win!!!
I have been a volunteer trucker since 1992. Been many miles (over 200,000) and to dozens of farms and produce houses. have meet hundreds of people and meet new ones each year. have worked for several co-ordinators and some of them are now gleaner volunteers. The S.O.S.A. workers/volunteers are dedicated to helping feed the needy. thankfully the world is full of these people. Bill Parsons
I've donated to SOSA for decades because they do the most good in connecting available food to people who need it. It makes perfect sense to transport donated food from farmers and growers (often due to cosmetic issues in marketing) and deliver it to food banks and other distribution sites where people in need can obtain it. Nutritious food doesn't go to waste, and people don't go hungry. Perfect!
I have praised this organization before, and gladly do so again. They reclaim good food that otherwise would go to waste, and they distribute it to people who need it. Win-Win! They provide opportunities for volunteers to get out into the fields to see where food comes from, and for people of faith to put that faith into action (and get their hands dirty). They reduce environmental hazards due to wasted food; they increase nutritional well-being for people who don't regularly receive fresh food. Makes sense on so many levels. I have gladly supported them for more than 30 years.
For three decades now, I have personally supported this organization. Doesn't it make all the sense in the world to save good food that would otherwise be thrown away, and take it to hungry people? There's no reason for hunger in the USA. SOSA knows "enough is enough". There IS enough food for everyone. The challenge is to distribute it. And that's what they do.
What could make more sense than to save good food from being thrown away, and then to distribute it to people who need it? It's a double blessing. And SOSA has been doing this for decades. In addition to growers willing to donate their surplus or unmarketable crops, many individuals and groups volunteer their time "gleaning" (Biblical word for gathering from fields and orchards) food left behind after harvesting. So many food banks and other distribution points benefit from SOSA's work. Donated funds are used to transport the food to places it is most needed. Gleaners learn where food comes from and how it gets to our tables, and how much we truly have to share. There IS enough, if only we share.
Doesn't it make perfect sense to distribute the abundant fresh food we have in America to people who need it? That's what the Society has been doing for decades. They salvage good food that otherwise would go to waste at harvest time from cooperating farmers, then transport it to food banks and other sites where it's shared with those who can use it. People of all ages do the gleaning in fields and orchards, donors provide funds to transport the food, and everyone involved, of whatever faith, channels God's abundance to neighbors in need. It's a win-win in every respect. I have donated to SOSA for decades and have named them in my will. I believe wholeheartedly in what they do. They are the greatest!
For decades I have supported the work of SOSA. It makes so much sense to save good food from going to waste, and instead to salvage it and deliver it to hungry people. Hands-on gleaning of crops in fields and orchards teaches new generations how food grows and how it can benefit the most people. Environmental stewardship, compassion and service extended to those in need, learning by doing--definitely a win-win-win situation. Monetary donations pay to transport salvaged food to distribution points around the country; I believe my donations do double good in saving food and bringing it to those who need it. Over the years I have encouraged my churches to support the work of SOSA from a Christian faith perspective, as well as simple common sense in rescuing perfectly good food from waste and feeding hungry people.
Sosa has an amazing gleaning program. I love the friendly environment. I also appreciate that they take care of the waivers and organization of each project. They make it very easy to get fresh produce to our region through our food ministry.
SOSA is a well run critical need nonprofit. They address hunger with an ingenious strategy of gleaning. SOSA reminds us of hunger in America and how, food that used to be wasted, can now be used to help. I love the mission, the education offered and the involvement in community.
I started volunteering and working with SoSA in 2008. Since that time, I have been able to see what all they do to help folks in need. They/we "glean" farms, farmers markets, have crop drops and we even "glean" some of the University of Tennessee's organic farm's extra produce. I have also been fortunate enough to become a member of the Board of Directors so I can learn even more about this wonderful organization.
I have been volunteering with SoSA since 2010 and not only does it make you "feel good" when you are doing something that helps others, but when you see the smiles on folks faces that's an incrediible feeling. When we "glean" peppers and take them to food banks or shelters and one of the first things we hear is "old what a beautiful smell of fresh peppers." I have been fortunate and honored to be a part of this WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION.
This organization is top of the line in my book. They do more for folks in need than another organization that I know of. Why do I say that, because they spend less on overhead. They put over 96% of every dollar given them to use for feeding folks in need. They do this year in and year out. As a volunteer with them, I get to see all the smiles of folks that receive these fresh veggies.
I have worked with the SoSA for the past 6 years and have watched this fantastic organization grow and help feed more needy families in our area. Our state, Tennessee is the 6th hungriest state in the US. SoSA is continuing to work with farmers and local farmer's market to "salvage" fresh produce that is on the tables of needy families daily. I can't think of a better organization to be GreatNonprofits.
SoSA has only had an office in TN for 2.5 years and it is staffed by only 2 ladies. In that time they have salvaged over 3 MILLION pounds of fresh produce that has been given away to families in need and food pantries to prepare this food for the needy. The National ogranization last year salvaged over 33 MILLION pounds to help needy folks. The entire organization of SoSA is dedicated to feeding as many people as they can and reduce the wasted food in our country. They are truly AMAZING!!!. Once you volunteer with them you are hooked and want to do more to help them salvage more fresh produce for folks.
On July 23, 2012 which ended up being one of the hottest day in East TN this year, we got to be the first ever green bean drop with the TN SoSA. Since we were the "trial" run we wanted as many beans as we could get to see just how long it would take to bag them and if we could make this work. The green beans were coming out of the field and needed to be cooled (get the field heat out of them); which was going to pose another problem. We recieved a dump truck load of approximately 20,000 lbs of beans, 60 feet long, 5 feet wide and 4 feet high, which took us 8 hours to bag over 2400 bags of 8-10 lbs per bag. BUT, we still had to get them cooled down; so we ask the volunteers to bring gallon jugs of frozen water and the kids that came to bring their wading pools. We had over 100 volunteers to come and help. We had 10 wading pools and we used all the gallon jugs of frozen water, all the ice from both ice makers in the church and we bought 20 bags of 10 lbs of ice. We gave all of these beans away to 4 local food pantries and over 40 different churches in our district area that day. What a blessing this was for us and for the families that received them. Had this idea not be thought of by the TN SoSA these beans would have gone to farmers for their cattle and pigs. Since that trial run, TN SoSA and the processor have had 5 other bean drops that have provided fresh produce for local families. We are planning on doing this again next year with TN SoSA's help and looking forward to helping more families in our local area. We are so thankful for the TN SoSA and all the great work that they do to help provide fresh produce for local families in need.
Gleaning for the Salvation Army at the Eastchase Farmers Market is a blessing to all involved-the group that receives the food this season, the Salvation Army, the venders that donate, and the volunteers that gather the donations, weigh the produce, and record the results. It's a joy to see the venders sharing the fruits of their labors with those less fortunate. They seem proud when we thanked them for their generosity. It's a blessing to those of us who glean to facilitate getting healthy foods to those in need. We send our prayers along with the food.
larryR
Professional with expertise in this field
07/25/2017
Rating: 5
07/25/2017
Your help is needed. As the Area Coordinator for Northeast Florida two of the biggest challenges I face is not knowing where all the citrus and produce is located that is going to waste; and having the volunteers to harvest that produce. We need your hands and your eyes to help reduce hunger in this country. Please help
SOSA is gleaning the Eastchase Farmers Market in our city every Saturday from May - October. We have very generous farmers helping a non-profit feed their residents and provide vegetables for Meals on Wheels. A great group to work with!
Our church had a wonderful experience gleaning with Society of St Andrew in TN. The work was meaningful and folks of all ages and abilities felt their role was valued. Sponsoring a green bean drop or a sweet potato drop is next on our agenda.
WOW! Fresh produce direct from growing fields provided free to people at risk of hunger is a commodity they seldom have the benefit of receiving. And the number of charities, regardless of their mission, that perform as effectively and financially responsibly as the Society of St. Andrew are very few and very far between. The thousands of people of all ages and walks of life who volunteer their time and energy to glean this food from fields are so desirous of and dedicated to helping those in need that they often volunteer time and time again, year after year. The Society of St. Andrew, with their Gleaning Network, Potatoe and Produce Project and educational Harvest of Hope program, is the leader in hunger relief with fresh produce. This charity is more than worth supporting both with volunteer hours and financial donations.
In a world of excess and waste, the Society of St. Andrew works to repurpose food that would have gone to waste and provide nutrition for people in need. We all have much to give, let's not waste perfectly good food.
When we think of hunger we often think about those who do not have enough food. We seldom think of all the food that is available, but just not in the right place. We don't have a hunger problem, we have a distribution problem. Getting food from any source availble and then getting it to the hungry is what SOA is all about. Having first hand experience working with SOA potato delivery in the Toledo Ohio area, gleaning fields that have an abundance of produce, and using SOA's Vaction Bible School free curriculum to teach kids about hunger, collecting coins in their hunger boxes, has led me to believe in the work that SOA does. If you are looking for a charity to support this is the one.
