22 Apr Dedicated Volunteers Rescue Food

Each week, David, a dedicated Family Promise volunteer, heads to local stores to collect donated food through the Retail Rescue program, bringing it back to the Food Pantry to be shared with neighbors in the community. “When I arrive on Wednesdays and see empty shelves, it feels meaningful to help restock them,” David shared. Supported by partnerships with Giant Food Stores, Sprouts Market, The Fresh Market, and Target, volunteers picked up and unloaded 72,556 pounds of rescued food in 2025. When David returns from his route, fellow volunteers help unload and organize the donations, making the impact feel real as he witnesses clients’ gratitude firsthand. Recalling a week when nearly 500 pounds of extra milk was rescued and shared instead of going to waste, David reflects that Retail Rescue is a way to be more efficient and more caring at the same time.  Through their weekly food pickups, volunteers like David ensure families have access to food and stronger community connections.