Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue
Saving Grace Reaches 2 Million Pound Mark
Shown with a recent QuikTrip donation during a celebration of Saving Grace reaching the milestone of 2 million pounds of food rescued are Bill Kruse, Randy Hansen, Brock Thornton, Judy Rydberg and Beth Ostdiek Smith. 
Two million pounds of excess perishable food rescued and redistributed to feed the hungry in our community. It's a milestone Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue reached earlier this month, just over four years after operations began.

The achievement was recognized last week at QuikTrip's Millard location, where Saving Grace driver/food handler Randy Hansen picked up prepackaged sandwiches and wraps, fruit cups, pastries and more. Also on hand were QuikTrip's Bill Kruse, manager, and Brock Thornton, store supervisor, along with Beth Ostdiek Smith, Saving Grace's CEO and founder, and Judy Rydberg, director of field and logistics.

Excess perishable food from QuikTrip's 12 Omaha-area locations is picked up every weekday at the Millard location. Since December 2014, QuikTrip has donated more than 90,000 pounds of nutritious food, valued at over $154,000, to Saving Grace.
38 Food Donor Partners Help Saving Grace Reach Milestone

In just over four years, Saving Grace's network of food donors has grown from three to 38. These grocery stores, caterers, event venues, schools, restaurants and other food purveyors routinely donate excess perishable food to feed the hungry in our community. Our professional drivers/food handlers pick up food every weekday from some of the businesses, while others may donate once a week or after an event.

The fresh fruits and vegetables, prepared meals, meats, dairy products and grain products help feed children, seniors and families served by our 32 nonprofit partner agencies that receive the food free of charge from Saving Grace.

"We appreciate our food donor partners that understand donating excess food to feed the hungry instead of tossing it into a dumpster makes good business sense," said Beth Ostdiek Smith, CEO and founder. They save on dumpster fees, receive a tax credit and contribute to their green initiatives, while supporting our community in a significant way.

Because of their generosity, Saving Grace has consistently increased the amount of food rescued and redistributed each year to feed our hungry neighbors. "The total amount of food rescued since our operations began is the equivalent of 2 million nutritious meals served to some of our community's most challenged citizens," Smith said. "Together, we also are keeping tons of food waste out of our landfills."

"This makes us feel great. Everybody here is on board - all the servers and the kitchen staff," says Jeff Snow, Catering Creations chef, right, shown with Mike Magnuson, Saving Grace driver.

"I personally love to be able to help people who need it. Maybe it helps them feed their family, maybe it helps give them an extra boost so they can achieve their dreams, but need a little assistance for a bit,"
says Jennifer Burback, Akin's Natural Foods regional manager.

"It is doing our part to support the community. Anytime we can donate good products to people in need it is a great accomplishment,"
says Brad Diers, right, Fresh Thyme-Lakeside store director. He's shown with driver Randy Hansen.



On behalf of all of those who benefit from this generosity, THANK YOU!
Save the Date for a February Event with Film Streams

Saving Grace is partnering with Film Streams and No More Empty Pots to present "Wasted! The Story of Food Waste" at the Dundee Theatre at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21. Anthony Bourdain narrates as chef luminaries like Dan Barber prepare dishes that maximize the full potential of what many would consider food scraps. Pre-show hors d'oeuvres from Omaha-based culinarians will showcase area efforts to reduce food waste. 
Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue | www.savinggracefoodrescue.org
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