The Food Rescue Story

Food Rescue's mission is to feed people and save surplus perishable food from being needlessly wasted. Our focus is on rescuing the modest amounts of perishable food that is wasted daily in our country that by itself cannot justify the manpower and equipment/trucks normally used by large caring agencies to rescue food. These modest amounts of food are also typically wasted at irregular times and are too inconvenient for large caring agencies to logistically manage.

After rescuing over 7 million dollars of retail food in 18 states from 2008 through 2010 using thousands of volunteers, Food Rescue decided to focus on 4 main objectives.

  1. Build a subscriber base to speak to the issue of food waste to encourage food establishments to engage in food recovery practices, rather than waste such a valuable resource.
  2. Educate children in schools about local, national, and world hunger and food waste issues using our Hats for Hunger program.
  3. Provide logistical support for food pantries and food establishments in Indiana.
  4. Inspire people to support food recovery efforts where they exist in their communities, and to educate people about the process of establishing food recovery programs where they do not exist.
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John Williamson

My name is John Williamson, and my wife Carol and our three children Ellen, Hope, and Abby picked up and delivered our first end of the day "doughnations" from Panera Bread to our local food pantry in Noblesville, IN in November of 2007. Since that day, we have founded our own not for profit organization called Food Rescue in July of 2008, rescuing millions of dollars of food in our community and state, and inspiring others around the country to support their local food pantries by volunteering to recover the over production of food from food establishments. If you would have any interest experiencing the heart of giving yourself or with your family, please do not hesitate to contact me to learn more.

The citizens below serve their local food banks, soup kitchens, rescue missions, and caring agencies in their community. Food Rescue does not organize volunteers or operate in any state except Indiana, however, we have inspired many citizens around the country to serve and recruit volunteers to serve caring agencies in their own communities by encouraging food recovery practices using grassroots volunteer efforts.

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Bryndon Preston

My name is Bryndon Preston and I was blessed to become involved with Food Rescue at its inception. I had been asking God for a way to serve him in practical way. The next thing I know John Williamson is sharing his vision for Food Rescue, and something in me said, "Yes, this is what you have been looking for!" I am amazed that in a little more than an hour I can serve God and partner with Food Rescue and bring hundreds of dollars worth of food to people who are hungry. It really hits home with me that but for the Grace of God, that could be me. I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve God by being a part of Food Rescue.

John Bailey

My name is John Bailey, I used to live in the Indianapolis area and went to the same church that John Williamson does. One day he gave a presentation to the congregation about Food Rescue and something within me said, "this is what you should do." So, I signed up to make a one-a-month delivery. Only a few months later, I moved my family to Orlando, FL to start a new job. I decided to seek places that might be in need of food, and within a month I was rescuing food on behalf of local agencies in Orlando. It has been amazing to watch the Lord pave the way to get things rolling. Ironically, after I year I am relocating again in Florida, and hope to start all over in a brand new city.

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Danielle Brossart

My name is Danielle Brossart, and I started a food recovery efforts in Anderson, Indiana. I came to know about Food Rescue through a radio program on WQME in October of 2008 and knew I wanted to be involved in some way. After checking out the web site, I realized that I could help in Anderson. Our family became Hoosiers in July of 2006, moving from California to be closer to my husband's family. Our family has volunteered with a local food pantry and is active in service through our church. We want to help the community in our area and make an impact for Christ.

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Kimberly Bryant

My name is Kimberly Bryant, and participate in food recovery efforts in in Chicago, Illinois. I ran across Food Rescues' website in, September, 2008, as I was looking for volunteer opportunities, and a way to give back to the hungry in the community. I knew this was what and where God wanted to use me. A little more than a year ago, I worked in administration with Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I just recently returned from a trip to South Africa called; “Women Building Global Communities”. God has given me the tools to feed and build communities here at home. I'm married to Nate and mother to 3 amazing young adults. As an active member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, I help to deliver food, clothing and meals to the sick and shut in on the Southside of Chicago. It is blessing to be a part of this amazing life change experience! Thanks Food Rescue for blessing so many with your efforts to raise awareness of food recovery opportunities many are unaware of.

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Patty Bukowski

My name is Patty Bukowski. The extent of our anticipation affects our participation and ultimately determines our impartation. In other words, Food Rescue is able to impart a portion of provisions to the poor because of the participation of volunteers who anticipate God to do great & mighty things. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did NOT do for one of the least of these, you did NOT do it for me." Quoted from Jesus Christ.

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Mike Cookman

My name is Mike Cookman and I organize food recovery efforts in the Charlotte, NC area on behalf of a couple of rescue missions. Since moving to the area a year and a half ago, I had been searching for my calling to serve God and the local community. I learned about food recovery efforts by noticing a volunteer making a pick-up and said, “Hey, this is it.” I contacted the volunteer leader, Jocelyn Challas, and began making pick-ups as a substitute. When she left the area due to a physical move, I jumped at the chance to serve in a more meaningful way as the leader. My goal is to continue the same level of service as my predecessor and expand our efforts in the Charlotte area. This opportunity is an answer to my prayers and something I’m very thankful for; I look forward to the future with great anticipation. We are currently coordinating food pick-up from the Panera Bread Ballantyne in South Charlotte, with delivery to a homeless ministry called Hoskins Park as well as The Charlotte Rescue Mission. We need more volunteers to expand our impact, and I would love to hear from you! Please contact me if you would like to volunteer in the Charlotte area on behalf of these great organizations that serve people in need.

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Kathi Crothers

My name is Kathi Crothers and established food recovery efforts in Jacksonville, FL in 2008. I am a single mom with a beautiful daughter named Jade who is 8 yrs old, and I work full time for at the City Rescue Mission in Jacksonville. We have been so blessed by our church and community to be able to serve in a variety of different missions together. In 2008, a friend emailed me a Christian internet station and I tuned in for that day called K-Love. K-Love was interviewing John Williamson about Food Rescues’ efforts in Indiana to raise awareness of the need for food recovery programs to support local caring agencies. I jotted it down on a sticky note and held on to it for a week. I emailed John and found out that I was one of many interested in learning more. In August of 2008, we had our first phone call, and three years later I organized 80 volunteers to serve 15 local agencies with food recovery efforts, saving nearly 1 million dollars in retail value food in Jacksonville. Things just fell into place effortlessly, and I know that is how GOD works. He makes it so easy to do his work. I am overwhelmed by the response from my friends and church family. They also pray: Bring it on. We are Christians and we will work together for GOD. Praise GOD. Thanks Food Rescue for inspiring me to take action in my community on behalf of the agencies in my community that serve those that are in need.

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Linda Curd

Hello my name is Linda Curd and I'm so excited to be involved in recovering food in Lexington, KY. The idea of rescuing food has been a personal passion of mine for quite some time - I just never picked up anywhere on a regular basis. Those friends who know me well can share stories of my car being loaded down with leftovers from special events and whatnot.
I have always loved to volunteer and have a heart for service but I had yet to find that area of ministry where I knew for sure God was calling me. So when I heard about this program on the radio it captured my attention and after reviewing the website and speaking to John - I took that leap of faith and began to organize volunteers to serve local agencies like the The Men and Womens Hope Center, and Lighthouse Ministries..
If you would be interested in serving, please email me at linda.curd@eds.com. Thanks Food Rescue for inspiring me to follow my passion!

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Sandra Hofer

Hi, I’m Sandy Hofer and am currently coordinating, picking up the “End of the Day Doughnations”, from the Panera Bread on Council Tree Avenue in Fort Collins, and delivering them to the Open Door Mission. …a local homeless shelter, which serves 4000+ meals a month.

When I heard about Food Rescue on KLOVE radio, it spoke to my heart.
How could I not respond to this…..rescuing perfectly good food and getting it to hungry people in my own community. What a wonderful opportunity to serve Open Door Mission.

I am in need of more volunteers for pickup and delivery and could really use your help. It’s a great opportunity for small groups, organizations or families to give back. Just over an hour, one day a month can make a big difference in someone’s life.

Please contact me if you have any questions or interest in serving our local homeless shelter using food recovery efforts in the Fort Collins/Loveland area.

Thank you for your generous hearts and your willingness to serve.

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Sara Joyner

My name is Sara Joyner and lead food recovery efforts in Greenfield, Indiana. I first learned of Food Rescue through my friend John Williamson. It seemed like such a simple, and wonderful concept and something that truly benefits those in need. I stayed up to date with Food Rescue through newsletters and updates from John, but did not become actively involved until this Spring. I saw an article in the local paper about a new Little Caesar’s Pizza opening in town and sent John an email to see if I could help organize a few pickups. The rest, as they say, was history! My husband and I run our own business and are parents to three little ones, all under 5, and this is something that is so easy for me to do in a few spare minutes. The impact, though, far outweighs the amount of time I invest. I am proud to be a part of such a great organization!

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Karen Muheim

My name is Karen Muheim and live in Elk Grove, California. I am an Accountant, married, and mother of two girls. Since my kids were young, I have been an advocate and volunteer for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. I believe that it is important to contribute to those in need and want to instill social responsibility and compassion within my kids. When a family member sent me information regarding Food Rescue, I knew immediately that I wanted my family to get involved with food recovery efforts in our community. There is so much need! Food recovery is a very simple to do, and our local agencies that serve the poor are able to provide food to people with this very simple act of service. If you are interested in volunteering in the Elk Grove (South Sacramento) area, please contact me.

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Suzannah Park

My name is Suzannah Park, and I mobilized volunteers in the Chicagoland area on behalf of several agencies. Having lived in or near major cities all of my life, I have seen the widespread, deep needs of far too many people. Because my life has been blessed in so many ways, I have been led to spend much of my free time serving those needs in my community. Through these experiences, I had learned of the food that was going to waste every day, but was hesitant to tackle the problem on my own. After stumbling upon the Food Rescue website, it became clear that there might be an opportunity to serve local agencies by organizing volunteers to bring food to them to distribute to people in need. I was able to engage many volunteers to serve 5 agencies using food recovery efforts. Thanks, Food Rescue, for helping me discover where to look for these opportunities that now bless so many.

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Alison Plahitko

My name is Alison Plahitko, and organize volunteers on the Southside of Indianapolis. I am an RN, am married to a great guy, and have 3 wonderful children.
I felt pulled to email John Williamson after I saw a TV spot on Food Rescue, and how they needed drivers to pick up food at local Panera restaurants. I thought, “Hey, I can do that once in awhile”. I became involved and ended up working very hard to get, and keep, our donation from our Greenwood Panera. I’m looking to expand our pick-up locations, and our number of dedicated volunteers here on the Southside of Indianapolis.
We currently deliver the food to the Greenwood Community Church, who open their doors three times a week to feed the poor in that area.
This literally fell in my lap. It’s amazing how, when you think you don’t have time for something like this, God “clears” your schedule to make it happen!

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Kristie Rath

My name is Kristie Rath. I had already been recovering food from a local grocery store in town and wondering how I could do even more in the Plattsburgh, NY area. I had been praying about what to do, when to do it and how to do it. Then one day on my way to church I heard about Food Rescue and John Williamson on K-Love in 2008. The very next day I contacted him, eager to find out how I could do more. Currently we collect food from one local grocery store and hand it out on Sunday mornings through our local church to needy families. After talking with John, we pursued more opportunities and God delivered! "Bring it on God!"

My husband and our two children help with the collection and distribution of the food, and It is awesome to be able to involve the children and have them serve in such a way to be able to bless others. This is a great ministry that people of all ages can help with. If you are interested in helping in the Plattsburgh area please contact me!" Thanks Food Rescue for encouraging people around the country to recover available food to provide struggling citizens with a hand up through their local caring agencies.

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Tresha Souza

I started out in 2008 when my church had an ad in the weekly bulletin regarding a new ministry for the homeless. They were having their very first dinner and were looking for volunteers to help serve dinner to the homeless. I had always had a soft spot for homelessness and had always taught my children to have compassion for the homeless people I would drive by certain areas with my kids since they were little and we would give whatever we had so I thought this was a great opportunity to show my children hands on. Me and my children went to the dinner and realized what a need there was to help these people. The church only had
pasta and some people had brought homemade cupcakes for desert. Well, the next day I started calling and calling to different stores and people, asking for donations. After receiving 30 NO responses came my first yes. It was amazing. Now my problems were no longer finding the food it was how to pick it up and where to put it. I received a huge donation a week before Thanksgiving and was given a brand new walk in freezer. My children come and help at every dinner and are a huge part of this movement. I have 3 daughters and 1 son my daughters are 21, 17 16 and my son is 10 my daughters have brought so many children from their high
school that would have probably never thought to do something like this and now they keep coming back. All I can say is
GOD IS AMAZING. I have formed a 501c3 Not For Profit Organization called So Others May Eat Incorporated, in order to serve people in my community.

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Lisa Wheeler

My name is Lisa Wheeler and my husband Theo and I have been married for nineteen years and we have 3 boys. We live in Rochester New York and belong to Browncroft Community Church. We heard about food recovery efforts in Indiana on KLOVE in an interview with John Williamson in 2008, and thought we could begin food recovery efforts in our area volunteering for local agencies. We volunteer on behalf of Hillside Childrens's Distribution Center, Blessed Sacrament Supper Program, Open Door Mission, House of Mercy, and the Salvation Army. Thank you Food Rescue for inspiring us! If you would like to help, please send me an email at: theolisa@gmail.com

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Brenda Williamson

My name is Brenda Williamson. My brother-in-law is the founder of Food & Rescue. He shared his story with the family and asked us to pray for God's blessing on this ministry. I work for a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities on fixed incomes (Hillcroft Services in Muncie, IN) I began to see the need for food donations for Hillcroft. Hillcroft has a facility called Isanogel it's our summer camp. Our goal was to be able to use the bagels for camp. We started collecting bagels in our big freezer in February. Last week was our first week of camp and we are excited to say we have fresh bagels from Panera! I thought to myself.. I wonder if other businesses would be willing to donate to Hillcroft? So, I made a few phone calls to Blondie's Cookies and Auntie Ann's pretzels and we know pick up from them as well. All it takes is a phone call to ask if someone is willing or able to help give back to the community.

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Teresa Woodby

My name is Teresa Woodby and I am a working mother of two and happily married to a wonderful man. I heard about Food Rescue on K-love radio. I contacted John the next day. I live in Swartz Creek, a small community just South of Flint Mi. Just like so many others who heard the interview that day, I was looking for a way to serve Christ and help people in my community. I am a volunteer now for Swartz Creek Unitied Methodist Church Food Pantry. I was amazed by the amount of food from one pick up provided. It is such an easy way to make a big impact.

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Cathy Wycliff

Hi, my name is Cathy Wycliff, I live near Chicago I found Food Rescues' website on the Internet, and John was able to direct me to some places that might have food to give away, and I contacted a few agencies who care for people in need to see if they could distribute it. I organized some volunteers, and the rest is history. Thanks Food Rescue for helping me add to the services our local agencies already provide to citizens, and for demonstrating how doing a very small thing can make a very big difference.

Friends & Organizations

The results of Food Rescue are credited to far more people than just its founders and volunteers. The efforts of all involved would be for naught if it wasn't for friends and organizations, including:

Testimonials From Food Rescue Volunteers

The whole family can get involved in Food Rescue!
Bags of bagels, waiting to be rescued.
Testimonial

"My very first time volunteering to pick up bread at Panera and take it to Third Phase, I tried to call you and cancel (Jan. 23, 2008). I couldn't reach you so I decided to go ahead and do it. The reason I tried to cancel is that I had gone to the ER with my husband that day for a sport's injury and the ER doc had informed us that my 45 year old husband had cancer. We have three kids to raise and I don't know if you can imagine how distraught I was. I didn't want to spend the evening picking up bread. But I did. I spent 2 hours picking up and delivering bread and those 2 hours were spent with God. As I continually envisioned the possibility of a lonely future without my husband, and all manner of horrible thoughts, God showed my that by doing for others, people can feel whole again. Things are going better for us and we are filled with hope for our future and gratitude for people, prayers and the comfort of God."

Sharon Balek

Testimonial

"Just wanted to take a moment and share my story with you about what God has done in regards to my work with the food donations. For years I have been crying out to God to show me where He wanted me to serve. I asked him for something that would utilize the skills and abilities that He gave me. When you contacted me about the opportunity with Panera Bread, something in my spirit said, "YES! this is what you have been waiting for." I love to save money, resources, time and anything else God has allowed me to be a responsible for in my life. To know that by His Grace and Provision we are taking thousands of dollars of food and giving it to people who are hungry instead of the food being thrown in the trash makes me so happy. And this is not cheap food but great food from a restaurant that I patronize when I want a great meal! I can't think of the last time I was able to help donate 25,000.00 a month to "the least of these" as Christ termed it in Matthew 25:31-46. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this effort. By my calculations if I take one night a month at two hours a month (best estimate for the days of inclement weather) then I am part of an investment group that pays 12,500.00 an hour on my part, to the hungry! Not too bad if you ask me. And for every one of the volunteers taking more than one night a week, thank you! I know God sees what you do, and He will reward you here and eternally for your gracious giving. I am praying that if we are faithful with these talents (Matthew 25:14-30) then God will bless us with more. God Bless."

Bryndon Preston

Testimonial

"My experience with Panera Food Deliveries to Third Phase: I was glad to have been asked to help in the delivery of food to Third Phase and that Panera was kind enough to offer such help to our community. Being a child of divorce I know the importance that these types of shelters provide! To find out we have a Christian organization doing this type of outreach is simply outstanding and what a way to have a positive outreach for Christ!

Panera Bread associates lending a hand
Panera Bread associates lending a helping hand.

Having spent over ten years of food service experience I was aware of how much food can get wasted at the close of a shift. After all we live in America "the land of milk and honey". I was surprised by the volume of just bread items we were able to provide to Third Phase for their food pantry. Who has never thought about the idea if we could take the excess that we produce in our country on any given day to give to those in need?

Those during the closing shift at Panera the workers were more than happy to give and very helpful in packing the goods for transport. It was as if they were happy to not have to throw all the bread away! Those at Third Phase were blessed to get such a bounty of bread and eager to help me unload. This took less than an hour half of time and very easy to deliver. The biggest blessing came to me though knowing that the not only the breaking of bread together, but the "sharing of bread" can make such a difference!"

Michael Worley

Testimonial

"I've never met anyone that has sold out their entire lives to serving others as Jesus would as Betty and Ruth had. I view my service as support to them. I feel privileged to be a part of what God is doing through them."

Mark Flagg

Testimonial
A Food Rescue in action
A "food rescue" in action!

James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

"God was speaking to me about the opportunity to serve the "needy" and how much of a blessing it has been for me. My neighbor rode with me on Sunday night (Super Bowl Sunday) for the pickup. He is a Christian, and has 2 children. While waiting at Panera, he talked about raising his son, the challenges, the rewards, the vulnerability of being a parent...it was a great time to connect, relate, and encourage him- this happened because of a safe and giving atmosphere that was created by giving to 3rd phase- My neighbor felt safe and was able to share his heart, and God allowed me to encourage him, and he encouraged me- it was a great night! Thanks."

Matt Michael