Food Rescue US is a national organization that enlists volunteers to deliver donated food from restaurants, grocery stores, and other food providers to receiving agencies such as soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and food pantries. The Notre Dame chapter of the Food Rescue U.S. organization began last year when a senior wanted to reduce food waste from eateries around campus and help the greater South Bend community. Currently, Notre Dame has 40 volunteer food runners who are hoping to grow both their volunteer base as well as the number of receiving agencies they serve.
Food Rescue at Notre Dame completes two to three runs each day, leaving from North Dining Hall, South Dining Hall, Au Bon Pain, and the concession stands/alumni tailgates during home football games. Additionally, Food Rescue does single runs for large catering events, such as the MLK Celebration Luncheon. The food collected from these eateries and events is delivered to the Center for the Homeless and Hope Ministries in South Bend.
Both the Center for the Homeless and Hope Ministries are extremely appreciative and thankful for Food Rescue’s work. Volunteers find it fulfilling to know that they are making a difference in the South Bend community and are always looking to grow this project so that it is even more successful.
If you’d like to receive notifications about food runs from campus or start participating, create an account here on the Food Rescue US website. You may also email Reagan Mulqueen, Food Rescue US site coordinator for Notre Dame, if you have any questions, ideas or want to get involved.
To see more of Food Rescue’s work at Notre Dame, visit them on Instagram.
Article contributed by Reagan Mulqueen, ’20
Originally published by at dining.nd.edu on January 25, 2018.