Fall/Winter 2019 Newsletter
Hi Friends,

Happy Holidays! Thanks for joining us on our food rescue journey. We've been hard at work filling stomachs, not landfills, with perfectly edible surplus food, and we're excited to share our progress below. As always, we appreciate your interest and support in the fight against hunger and food waste.

We've rescued over $20 million worth of food to-date
You read correctly! We have rescued over $20 million worth of food since 2015 , which is more than 3 million pounds of food!

The surplus food came from over 250 donors and was delivered the same day at no cost to 90+ charities across the city. Our food helps nourish 170,000 Houstonians in need annually, including veterans, abused women and children, adults in recovery, disabled homeless seniors and many others.

We have seen a 200% increase in food recovery since May 2018. This impressive jump in volume is a result of more and more food businesses becoming aware of Second Servings and joining our network.
Check Out Our Newest Van
Our mini fleet is growing! Our beautiful, new refrigerated van hit the road this year, increasing our capacity by 50%. The 2019 Ford Transit is taller, allowing our drivers and volunteers to stand while loading and unloading rescued food.

Thanks to Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Southern Core Recycling, Sysco Corporation, General Mills, Hess Corporation and Texas Capital Bank for their generous support.
Team Updates
Carolina Avila, Food Acquisition Specialist

Carolina is responsible for expanding our food donor network. Since July, she has brought on valuable donors, such as Whole Foods, Target, Chefs' Produce, Oak Farms Dairy and many more. She previously worked for Brothers Produce, Coca-Cola and Houston Food Bank. When she's not hard at work, she is shopping and spoiling her hairless dogs, Wang and Ozzy.
Kristen Torrez, Communications Specialist

Kristen is in charge of all communications, as well as website development (coming soon!), strategic partnerships and event planning. She previously worked at a leading public relations firm in Austin, handling local and national food & beverage clients. When she isn't behind the screen, she enjoys working out and being outdoors with her pup, Elsie.
Rebekah Hayler,
Food Rescue Driver

New van = new food rescue driver! Rebekah joined our group of food rescue heroes this fall. She has previous experience in training personnel, customer service and marketing. She is an avid volunteer and loves working with kids. When Rebekah's not rescuing food, she enjoys going to plays, photography, learning Mandarin and fostering kittens.
We "Give a Crock"
This fall, we conducted our "Give a Crock" campaign to provide new Crock-pots to residents at New Hope Housing. Their low-income efficiency apartments are equipped with only a fridge and microwave, so a crock-pot enables those in need to conveniently prepare economical and nutritious meals with the fresh vegetables we deliver each week.  

Each box included a new two-quart Crock-Pot sponsored by Target and Hess Corporation, as well as fresh rescued vegetables and donations from Minute Rice, a cutting sheet from Bering's Hardware , an Evert Fresh green bag, Imperfect Produce boxes, a simple soup recipe card curated by Smart In The Kitchen and food waste prevention tips from Second Servings.

Thanks to support from Hess Corporation and the Kappa Alpha Theta Houston Alumnae Chapter, we are proud to have delivered 100 "Give a Crock" boxes.

Read more about the campaign in The Buzz Magazine's article , and watch Marcia Smart with Smart in The Kitchen demo the "Give a Crock" recipe on KPRC-TV Channel 2 Houston Life's website HERE.
New Charity Recipients + Food Donors

A few of our new charity recipients are:

  • Ronald McDonald House
  • House of Tiny Treasures
  • Housing Corporation of Greater Houston
  • Casa de Esperanza
  • Epiphany Community Health Outreach Services (ECHOS)
  • Small Steps Nurturing Center
We're excited to welcome aboard many new food donors, including:
Support & Recognition
Many thanks for the generous support from The Children's Fund, American Communities Trust, Charity Guild of Catholic Women, Isla Carroll Turner Friendship Trust, Caring Friends, Inc., Richard D. Huff Foundation, Wayne Duddlesten Foundation and Houston Junior Forum .

We're also grateful for the recognition we have received this year, including the Mayor's Proud Partner Award from Keep Houston Beautiful, the Houston Humanitarian Award from Houston Random Act of Kindness and the LemonTree Foundation and the 2019 Compassionate Action Leader Award by Compassionate Houston .
Special Holiday Promotions
Limited Time Offer:
FREE Cookbook with Donation

Need a holiday gift idea? When you donate $50 or more, you will receive one free copy of the newly released "Houston Cooks" cookbook, featuring recipes from 40 of the city's favorite restaurants and chefs. A page is dedicated to Second Servings and 100% of your donation will go toward expanding food rescue operations.

For details, please email Kristen Torrez at ktorrez@secondservingshouston.org by Dec. 6.
Second Servings Holiday Menu
at Ristorante Cavour

Through December 31, Ristorante Cavour at Hotel Granduca is offering a special "Dine with a Cause" holiday menu with three to seven course dinner options. Items from the menu will also be available a la carte, as well as on the tasting menu, and in honor of the giving season, Second Servings will receive a portion of the proceeds.

JOIN US IN THE FIGHT
AGAINST HUNGER & FOOD WASTE
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To learn more visit www.secondservingshouston.org