The Food Rescue Story

Food Rescue Founder

John Williamson

Food Rescue Founder

E-Mail: jw@foodrescue.net

My name is John Williamson, and my wife Carol and our three children Ellen, Hope, and Abby picked up our first end of the day doughnations to deliver to those in need at a Noblesville IN Panera Bread in November of 2007. Since that day, we have founded our own not for profit foundation called Food Rescue, and we have scheduled close to a million dollars in food rescues around the country annually, with nearly 1000 volunteers serving once a month, and 30 chapter presidents all working to try to put an end to the 27% of our food that goes to waste in America. If you would have any interest experiencing the heart of giving yourself or with your family in any of our 10 markets we currently serve, or if you would like to start your own Food Rescue chapter in your community, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Chapter President

Angela Zuniga

Minneapolis, Minnesota - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: TCfoodrescue@hotmail.com

My name is Angela Zuniga, and I am the chapter president for Food Rescue in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. I answered an ad on Craigslist from John Williamson in July of 2008, and am currently picking up food in Maple Grove and delivering it to the Emergency Food Shelf Network. I am the single Mom of a wonderful boy and part of a loving family. I feel so blessed to have my family, health, and love, and my hope is for everyone to enjoy the same wealth and happiness. So, for some time I pondered over what it is God has intended for me. One day I saw John's ad, and after speaking with him and finding how much wasted food we have in our area; I know what I was meant to do. I'm working hard to get more restaurants and non-profits on board, as well as volunteers looking to share the love with those in need. Please contact me if you would have any interest in serving with Food Rescue in my area.

Chapter President

Lynette Harris

St. Paul , Minnesota - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: shiuvan@q.com

Hi my name is Lynette Harris. I am one of chapter presidents in area of St. Paul Minnesota. I started a Food Rescue chapter in St. Paul because I knew I wanted to help my community to make sure people don't go hungry, and like John said, food and shelter should be the most simple things to solve in your community. Amen to that. So with the help of God, my family, and volunteers that are coming on board we can make a dent to stop the madness of all the food being thrown away. God Bless You.

Chapter President

Sandra Rabinskas Johnson

Arlington/Ft. Worth, Texas - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: sandrala6@yahoo.com

My name is Sandy Rieinskas-Johnson, and I am the chapter president for Food Rescue in the Arlington/Ft. Worth Texas area. I answered a Craigslist ad from John Williamson in July of 2008, and am currently picking up food on 3 different days at a Panera Bread in Arlington and delivering it to a local homeless shelter. My husband owns a small plumbing company, and I work as a property manager near Arlington. When I took the food to the homeless center, I cried all the way home. If God had not intervened in my life, that very well could have been me sitting out there in the heat. So, when I handed off that food, it was like hitting a home run or bowling a strike. God is GRAND, that's all I can say. Please contact me if you would have any interest in serving with Food Rescue in my area.

Chapter President

Alison Plahitko

Greenwood, Indiana - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: amplahitko@hotmail.com

My name is Alison Plahitko, and I am the Chapter President in the Southside Indianapolis area. 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!

Chapter President

Jocelyn Challas

Charlotte, North Carolina - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: JocelynChallas@msn.com

My name is Jocelyn Challas, and I am the chapter president for Food Rescue in the Charlotte, NC area. I learned about Food Rescue from a Craigslist posting by John Williamson seeking volunteers for the program, and I immediately knew it was something I could help with. As a busy stay-at-home mom to three young children, I've often found it challenging to find ways to volunteer in a meaningful way without taking time away from my home and family. But helping with Food Rescue is something my entire family can do together, and it's been a blessing to us all. I am currently coordinating food pick-up from the Panera-Ballantyne in south Charlotte, with delivery to a homeless ministry called HoskinsPark. We need more volunteers to expand our impact, and I would love to hear from you! Please contact me if you would like to help with Food Rescue in the Charlotte area.

Chapter President

Brenda Williamson

Muncie, Indiana - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: promark44@att.net

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.

Chapter President

Bryndon Preseton

Indianapolis, Indiana - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: bkeithpreston@yahoo.com

My name is Bryndon Preston and and I am the chapter president for Food Rescue in Indianapolis IN. 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. My amazing wife has been unceasingly supportive, and we are both very grateful for the opportunity to serve God by being a part of Food Rescue.

Chapter President

Kristin Dinkel

Greenville, South Carolina - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: kdinkel@charter.net

My name is Kristin Dinkel and I am the Chapter President in Greenville , South Carolina . I found out about Food Rescue through a family member in Charlotte , NC and after talking to John Will iamson via email and finding out what a need there was, I knew I wanted to be involved. I thought he was joking when he labeled me "Chapter President", but I feel very comfortable with that "hat" now. We pick up at Panera Bread in Simpsonville and deliver to the Church of God Home for Children. They have 13 children currently living there and are very appreciative to have the bread...especially for sandwiches for the kids! They also share with a home across the street for retired pastors and widows that live on fixed incomes. One of my volunteers went the extra mile and gathered donated school supplies for the kids so I love to see how God is providing for these kids. My husband and I have three children, 14, 12 and 6, and have enjoyed getting them involved and letting them see how God cares for the needy through us. We are God's delivery system and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve Him.

Chapter President

Dilek Kaygusuz

Vienna, Virginia - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: dilekd90@hotmail.com

My name is Dilek Kaygusuz, and I have 2 twin 14 year old sons and I live near Vienna VA. I read about Food Rescue on Craigslist, and I know many people around the world die every single minute because of not having enough food, so I feel it is not fair while they are dying we are wasting. We have no right to do that. I want to teach my kids to help others and how to preserve food, so Food Rescue was a perfect fit for me.

Chapter President

Julie Taylor

Stafford/Fredericksburg, Virginia - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: jew1ee@comcast.net

My name is Julie Taylor and I am the chapter president for Food Rescue in Stafford/Fredericksburg, Virginia. I discovered Food Rescue while searching Craigslist. John Williamson posted an ad looking for volunteers and after reading the webpage, I knew this was just the opportunity I wanted to commit too. I am currently on active duty in the United States Air Force and stationed at The Pentagon. I have four fantastic children, and my husband John is the love of my life. I deliver to the Hope House, which was established in 1987 to serve homeless women and their children from the City of Fredericksburg, and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and King George. By donating just a portion of my time, it can make a difference in a person's life, make the world a better place to live, and have a lasting impact. Please contact me if you would like to get involved in the Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and King George areas.

Chapter President

Kathi Crothers

Jacksonville, Florida - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: kcrothers@sleiman.com

My name is Kathi Crothers and I am the Chapter President for Jacksonville, FL. I am a single mom with a beautiful daughter named Jade who is 8 yrs old and I work full time for a Commercial Development Company. We have been so blessed by our church and community to be able to serve in a variety of different missions together. A friend emailed me a Christian internet station and I tuned in for that day. That was the day that K-Love was plugging Food Rescue. I jotted it down on a sticky and held on to it for a week. I emailed John and found out that I was one of many waiting to jump in. August 2008 we had our initial set up call and a week later I have 15 + volunteers ready to drive. We have committed to serve dinners at our local City Rescue Mission for this year, which has allowed me to build a relationship with their coordinators. Upon setting this up, I’ve allotted them all of our food deliveries until they say ‘No more’. Things are just falling into place almost effortlessly and I know that is how GOD works. He makes it so easy to do his work. I am overwhelmed by the immediate 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.

Chapter President

Stephen and Sandy Curran

Hurst, Texas - Food Rescue Chapter Presidents

E-Mail: jcurr5@juno.com

My wife Sandy came across "foodrescue.net on craigslist.org while looking for a job. She was immediately captivated with the great opportunity to be able to serve the needy. She was so exited that she forgot about looking for a job and got in touch with John. She shared this great vision with me. It did not take any convincing for both of us to join.We understand first hand what it feels like to go hungry. We are able to help churches in Hurst and North Richland Hill, Texas to be able to bless folk in their congregation.

We are looking to the Lord to rescue many souls through this ministry. Thank you John for heeding the call.

We come from India. Sandy was a Hindu and I was an atheist. Both of us were saved by Christ in 1984 in India. We moved to the U.S.A. in 1995 and immediately recognized that the Lord has blessed this nation to be a blessing to many nations. We say with our heart, God Bless America.

Chapter President

Erin Marie Waits

Wisconsin - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: radiantyou@marykay.com

Praise the Lord! He is good and He is love. My name is Erin and God has given me the incredible opportunity to share His love through starting a Food Rescue Chapter in Wisconsin. Saturday morning, August 16, 2008, I was listening to K-Love and John Williamson was on sharing about Food Rescue. My immediate thoughts were "I wonder if I could help the cause in my area" and then they mentioned that people all over the country were needed to start a Food Rescue in their area. I called K-Love minutes later and they gave me the founder and president, John Williamson's name and number. So I called him right away and left a message and he called me back soon after. After our conversation I was very pleased to know the simplicity of it all with such HUGE affects on the hungry! Thank God for people like John Williamson and his family who are willing to be obedient to the call and be the hands and feet of Jesus! God bless you and His peace be with you.

Chapter President

Kristie Rath

Plattsburgh, NY - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: midwifekristie@hotmail.com

"My name is Kristie Rath. I am the Chapter President for Food Rescue in the Plattsburgh, NY area. I had already been rescuing food from a local grocery store in town and wondering how I could do even more. 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. 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 to needy families. With the help of the Food Rescue program we will be contacting all of the other local grocery stores as well as the bakeries and restaurants, and we will see what God has in store. "Bring it on God!" My husband and our two children help with the collecting of the food, sorting it and distributing it. 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!"

Chapter President

Barb Lucero

San Antonio, TX - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: satxfoodrescuenet@gmail.com

Greetings, my name is Barbara Lucero, from San Antonio, TX. I am a mother of three amazing sons & three sweet hearted daughters-in-love. A proud grandma to three precious grand-babies, life is abundantly over pouring blessings with the joys of grandchildren.

I came to know of foodrescue.net through the Christian radio station K-Love, 91.3 FM. My heart was moved, God lead me to participate in this very much needed vision of John Williamson, President, of this mission. Absolutely, no one person should go hungry anywhere, especially in this great land of the USA. We are one nation under God instructed by our Lord's Holy Word to be our brother’s keeper. Brothers and Sisters in Christ I urge you to pray about becoming a VOLUNTEER in this great cause, for those in need can be anyone at anytime, the homeless, an elderly individual, the single mother struggling to feed her children, a father who has been laid off from a job. Not one of us can truly know what tomorrow will bring. Let’s all count our Blessings and give back to our Lord by serving His most precious creation, mankind. Please don’t hesitate to call. I can be reached at (210) 522-9319 or by email.

God has birth a desire in my heart for many years now to serve in the area of Deaf Ministry, where I have been abundantly blessed. I want to mention these first few volunteers of many to come by Gods calling. Without any hesitation, immediately on board are four deaf friends; Az Hernandez, Jeremy Carter, Scott Wencel, & Jesse Longoria. Heartfelt thanks to these individuals and to all yet to come. It is a heartwarming reward to serve, we step out to give although actually receive.

San Antonio-NW, NE, SW, and SE, along with all Inter Sub Cites, many Volunteers, & area Chapters are needed. Bring it on God!

God’s gift to his people is life with the promise of eternal life in heaven, paid for by the ultimate price of His shed blood. Our gift back to God can be how we choose to be obedient to his word in giving back in this gift of life.

Abundant Love, Peace & Joy, Babs

Chapter President

Jeanne De Vita

Chicago, IL - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: jeanne_devita@yahoo.com

Hi! My name is Jeanne De Vita and I am a chapter president for Chicagoland-area Food Rescue. I "met" John Williamson through his amazing ad on craigslist. I work full time and do weekly volunteer work with several area nonprofits, but have been deeply affected by some service trips to Romania. While working with children in a Failure to Thrive Clinic and living in a rural Romanian community, I was so touched by the LACK of basic needs that people survive without every day. It may seem like a cliche to say that we have such opportunity here in the U.S. But if you really look at how we live, we have so many gifts that we can share with others--and when you have lived with little, you truly learn to treasure the smallest valuables--even something as simple as a meal of fresh bread. I love the idea of helping others through saving resources and sharing food and hope to find lots of willing Chicagoans and Suburbanites to start their own chapters or work with me!

Chapter President

Kimberly Winzenried

Toledo, Ohio - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: kimberly.winzenried@students.lourdes.edu

My name is Kim, and I am the chapter president for Food Rescue in Toledo, Ohio. I heard about Food Rescue on the radio, and I immediately got online to find out how to get involved. There was no Food Rescue chapter in my area, so I decided to start one myself. All donations are from Panera and are taken to Cherry Street Mission Ministries, which serves men and women in need every day.

I am a classroom aide at a local elementary school, and I am also a full-time student working on my education degree. Since I am very busy, I am in need of volunteers to help with the pick-ups. If you live in/near Toledo and are interested in helping with this great cause, please contact me by email.

I am currently looking for volunteers to pick up from Panera at 7115 West Central Avenue on Saturday nights at 8:55PM or 4050 Talmadge Road on Sunday nights at 7:55PM. Even if you can only commit to one day a month, your help will be very much appreciated!

Debbie Black

Anderson, SC - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: rhema4now@hotmail.com

My name is Debbie Black and I am the Chapter President in Anderson, South Carolina . I found out about Food Rescue while searching for a food shelter for our church New Vision Outreach to serve. Our church was looking for some way to reach out to our community and after talking with John Williamson via email and by phone I soon felt led this was the way we could serve. We are excited about the opportunity God has provided to be used by him. I have several volunteers that assist with this outreach-WOW when you go “searching” you never know what blessings God will let you find.

Chapter President

Stacy Tyler

Kansas City, MO - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: stacymtyler@hotmail.com

My name is Stacy Tyler and I’m the Chapter President for the Kansas City, MO area. I have always had a passion for volunteering and have found the most rewarding experience comes from helping others meet their basic needs… food, clothing, shelter. I discovered Food Rescue when I heard a news story one morning on the radio. I felt so connected to the cause and immediately contacted John when I got to work. It was really quite easy… almost TOO easy… to work through John and find a Panera Bread location close to my home with an open schedule. I am still in awe over how much food would be thrown away if I wasn’t there to pick it up. John told me the hard part was to find a food pantry who would take evening deliveries… even that didn’t pan out to be a big challenge. I found children’s homes who would take the evening donations/drop-off. And what a HUGE benefit to these organizations… they are so grateful that it almost makes me embarrassed because of the simplicity of it all. It only takes me 40 minutes to knock it out! My favorite quote to live by is by Booker T. Washington: "When you want to lift yourself up, lift up others." Boy is that the truth!!! God Bless!

Chapter President

Karla Romero

Boston, MA - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: uxmagazine@yahoo.com

Boston native Karla Romero, is the founding President and CEO of Mass Appeal International. Ms. Romero is seasoned with years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Ms. Romero represented Boston in the Miss USA Pageant as Miss Boston, she served as a motivational speaker for high-risk urban youth, promoting higher education, civic duty, self-determination, and pride in diversity. Ms. Romero holds her BS in Criminology and Law, Psychology minor from Suffolk University and her Master’s of Human Service Administration.

Chapter President

Amy Pennington

Richardson, TX - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: amy.pennington@hopesdoorinc.org

My name is Amy Pennington, and I am the chapter president for Food Rescue in Collin County Texas and surrounding areas. I am the volunteer coordinator for Hope’s Door, Inc., a domestic violence shelter and counseling center for Collin County and surrounding counties. Part of my job is to seek (and accept) in-kind donations for our clients. When I received a call from Sandy Curran in September 2008 checking to see if Hope’s Door would be interested in doing a pick-up from Panera Bread in Richardson, of course, I said “yes”. My first pick up is scheduled for October 7th. I currently have a volunteer who is picking up our donations one night a week in Richardson and delivering it to Hope’s Door. Clients are given the first opportunity to receive from this donation. The remaining items are being “re-gifted” to other agencies/churches serving those in need (i.e. City House and the Assistant Center of Collin County and Christ Community Church in The Colony, Texas). I’m not sure where this will lead but I’m willing to be a vessel to get this food in the hands of those in need. If you would like to volunteer to pick up donations, help distribute the donations to other agencies/churches, or maybe you would like to be a chapter president and spread the “dough”, please let me know. I’d be happy to talk with you.

Suzannah Park

Arlington Heights, Chicago - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: chicagolandfoodrescue@gmail.com

My name is Suzannah Park, and I am a chapter president for Food Rescue in Chicagoland.  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.  John Williamson's ad on Craigslist rekindled that interest, and the other cities' testimonies gave me hope that this can be done!  After long and prayerful consideration, the Lord made it clear He also wanted me to serve with Food Rescue.  Meeting people's basic life necessities is a pure and simple way in which we are called to share God's love!

Chapter President

Juanita Kelsaw

Downtown Indianapolis - Food Rescue Chapter President

E-Mail: j.v.kelsaw@usa.net

Who would have guessed that an unplanned "act of kindness" by a co-worker would lead to a fulfillment within my own heart? For years I recognized that "giving to the Lord" was much more than a sermon topic covering the well-known 3 "T's" - tithes, talents & time. Tithes & talent; I had them covered. It was the factor of "time" that was something I longed to give in service to others, but couldn't quite find the right fit between passion & purpose. 

Then came my introduction to Food Rescue by way of an alert email from that same co-worker; who rescued food and made it available rather than letting it go to waste.  That email, explaining the free goodies contained a link and being the curious one, I clicked to investigate.  Immediately wheels started churning. 90 minutes a day; 1 day a month; support any organization that helps feed the hungry; involvement included (rather than excluded) families as a way to model the Golden Rule before our children. Wow! Without much delay, I completed the online form, received a response and secured a date for my first pick-up. 

My first exchange was electrifying and the wheels continued to churn faster - who else? where else? when else? how else? After sharing excitement and ideas with John, the founder, I was dubbed "chapter president".  Who me? Already?!? As a wife, mother, corporate employee, business entrepreneur, ministry leader/participant, I still felt God tugging at my heart to make an extra commitment. With such a small sacrifice returning HUGE rewards, I can only rejoice for having played a minor part.

Jesus said, "...whatever you do unto the least of these, you do it unto me..." In a land of plenty, there's more than enough to feed Jesus by feeding the hungry among us. If interested, please contact us. We are always looking for volunteers who are willing to create a ripple of giving in across this great nation. Everything done for Jesus will last.  May your works speak well of you. God bless!

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: