For National Fried Chicken Day, Hot Chicken Takeover has partnered with Food Rescue US (FRUS) to celebrate in an impactful way. On Friday July 6, $1 from every meal purchased at all three restaurant locations will be donated to FRUS. Food insecurity is a reality in many of our communities, and we’re grateful for the work they’re doing in Central Ohio and beyond. Below is a synopsis and a few compelling statistics outlining why food insecurity isn’t just an issue around the holidays–and why this partnership is meaningful.
For many children, summer is a time of fun – camp, vacation, a break from the normal routine of the school year. But if you are a food insecure family summer vacation can be a time of emotional, physical, and financial struggle. If your child relies on a meal program throughout the school year, it’s a challenge to find the means to provide those meals during the summer months. According to the School Nutrition Association 14.6 million children are enrolled in a school breakfast program and 30 million are enrolled in a school lunch program. When kids don’t have access to school meals during the summer, families may be unable to provide enough healthy food. A family would need to find an additional 110 meals this summer just to
replace food provided to one child through a school breakfast or lunch program.
Food Rescue US is committed to ending American food insecurity through direct-transfer food rescue and has been fighting local hunger across the US since 2011. Using their own simple, groundbreaking app, they have created a new food rescue platform focused on transferring healthy, usable foods to where it can help feed those in need. This volunteer-driven, technology fueled process coordinates with restaurants, grocers, bakeries, caterers and other food-service organizations who have food destined to be thrown away and delivers it to soup kitchens, food pantries and other hunger relief organizations who serve food insecure individuals and families. Volunteer food rescuers login to the app and pick a food rescue that fits their own schedule andconvenience. Currently in eighteen cities nationwide, they have been operating in Columbus
since 2012. To date our neighbors have rescued and delivered over 4 million meals, saving 5.8 million pounds of food from landfill, just in Columbus! Food Rescue US has made it simple and easy for everyone to help end hunger in their own communities, so let’s get involved! For more information and to sign up to become a food rescuer, food donor or receiving
agency, visit our website.
About the photo: Te’Lario from Tiger Mushroom Farms is a Food Rescue US volunteer here in Columbus and makes weekly trips to our North Market location, picking up leftover HCT and delivering to local pantries in our community. He uses the Food Rescue US app to find out what restaurants and grocers need help distributing their extra food. You can learn more about how to volunteer by visiting their website foodrescue.us.