Food Rescue Expands with Grant Money

One of Second Helpings Atlanta’s more than 470 volunteer drivers completing her food rescue route.

Second Helpings Atlanta, a nonprofit that rescues more than 125,000 pounds of surplus perishable food every month, recently received a two-year, $40,000 grant from Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. The Well-being Impact Area Fund grant is set to aid general operations of SHA.

The organization delivers fresh food to fight food insecurity and waste in metro Atlanta. This fall, SHA began picking up food from major venues, including Bobby Dodd Stadium, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, SunTrust Park and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Up to 2,500 pounds of food is left over from large scale events, including sports games and concerts.

What began as a social action project at Temple Sinai in 2004 became a stand-alone nonprofit organization in 2013. The food rescue organization now includes more than 80 food donors, 50 partner agencies and 470 volunteer drivers. SHA is slated to pick up more than 1.7 million pounds of healthy food in 2018.

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“We are honored by the support of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta,” says Sheri Labovitz, president of Second Helpings Atlanta. “This two-year grant will help us expand operations while we continue to fight hunger and reduce food waste throughout the metro Atlanta area.”