Impact R e p o r t / / 2023
2
Executive Welcome Did you know that more than 35% of individuals in
recting perfectly good food from being sent to landfills
Prince William County are facing food insecurity? To
and ensuring that we address this necessity by provid-
further explain food insecurity, it is a lack of access to
ing the community with food of great nutritional value.
consistent and healthy food options. Accessing quality food daily should not be a privilege, but rather a right
Speaking as a child of an extremely hard-working
for everyone.
single mother that had occasional struggles of making sure ends met, the sense of connection and pride that
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of
I have for Northern Virginia Food Rescue is immense.
the United Nations, approximately 400 billion dollars’
Knowing that my family may have benefited from an
worth of food is lost between harvest and the retail
organization such as this one gives me the motivation
market (www.fao.org, 2023). This food ends up in
to focus on eradicating food insecurity right here in
landfills and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions,
Prince William County.
which disrupts nature’s balance. This is where Northern Virginia Food Rescue and our supporters take
Are you asking yourself about how to get involved?
action to become Food Rescue Heroes.
Today, I encourage you to download our app and become a food rescue hero or volunteer at our ware-
Had someone asked me to describe the concept of
house. Perhaps you may want to become a donor to
food rescue years ago, I would have been clueless
support one of our many initiatives such as the back-
on how to narrate this phenomenon. Today, I can’t
pack program, where we partner with area schools
imagine a world without using such a commonsense
to provide children with food to ensure that they have
approach to addressing one of the most basic hu-
something to eat nights and weekends.
man needs. With my background in human services,
There is nothing more exciting than seeing Northern
I realized years ago how pivotal meeting a person’s
Virginia Food Rescue’s mission in action. We literally
basic needs contributes to their overall well-being. It’s
cannot do this without you. Join us in addressing the
difficult to focus on achieving various life milestones
social injustice of food insecurity, while saving the
when you are literally hungry or unsheltered. Northern
environment through collaboration, innovation, tech-
Virginia Food Rescue has been instrumental in redi-
nology, and conviction.
Dr. Megan Franco, Ph. D
Download Our M Download Our Mobile App! Download Our Mobile App! Our Mobile App!
NORTHERN VIRGINIA FOOD RESCUE
Contents 2. Executive Welcome 4. NOVA-FR Staff 5. Mission, Vision & Values 6. The Transformative Impact 8. Food Rescue Heroes 11. Fueling Success with Backpacks 12. 2023 Impact Statistics 14. Staff Highlight 15. Board Members & Thank You
IMPACT REPORT // 2023
4
NOVA-FR Staff DR. MEGAN FRANCO / Executive Director Dr. Megan Franco joined Northern Virginia Food Rescue in June 2023. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Regent University, a M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Capella University, and a PhD in Social and Community Services from Capella University. Dr. Franco has a passion for bridging the gaps in the community as she has worked for various nonprofits serving families faced with housing and resource insecurities. During her downtime, Dr. Franco enjoys running 5ks, spending time with her loved ones, and traveling back to her hometown of Virginia Beach, VA. She is excited to join the NOVA-FR team.
MATTHEW SMALL / Marketing and Development Director Before joining NOVA-FR in November 2023, Matt Small was a key contributor at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. In this role, he spearheaded the advancement of technological solutions tailored for the agency, community service boards, and institutional facilities. With a wealth of experience spanning the nonprofit sector, healthcare, and higher education, Matthew has also been instrumental in the establishment of two food cooperatives over the past decade. His unwavering commitment lies in furthering the cause of ensuring permanent and unrestricted food access for all individuals.
CHRISSY FAULS / Food Operations Coordinator Chrissy Fauls has been working directly in her community of Greater Prince William to educate and connect her neighbors with programs and resources to address tough subjects such as addiction, gangs, human trafficking, online exploitation, and mental health. Once COVID-19 changed the landscape of everything, Chrissy pivoted her organization’s focus to provide tens of thousands of pounds of food to the Greater Prince William area and is now the Food Operations Coordinator for Prince William Food Rescue, where she continues both the logistical and relational work of facilitating food distribution.
ALEXA ANDERSON / Partner Relations Coordinator Alexa grew up in Annandale VA, within Fairfax County. She played soccer all her life, and continued her soccer career at Virginia Tech, playing on the Women’s Soccer Team. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a Major in Human Development, and Minor in National Security and Foreign Affairs. She just started with NOVA-FR in August, and loves being able to give back to the Northern Virginia Community in which she grew up!
GREG COUTEAU / Delivery Driver Greg has spent most of his professional life working in publishing for a small-town paper in Maryland. After doing some warehouse work and food deliveries for Catholic Charities, Greg was introduced to the food rescue by his wife Shirley who manages the Hunger Prevention Center for ACTS. If you run into Greg during one of his deliveries, feel free to ask him about his 7-month drive around the country or brewing his own beer! He has a batch of stout maturing right now. Greg has shown such steadiness, kindness, and calm through the ups and downs of making deliveries. We’re so glad he’s joined the team!
5
NORTHERN VIRGINIA FOOD RESCUE
Mission
Nova-FR is an inno vative netw ork of don and distrib or, volunte ution partn er, ers impro v in g food resilie accessibil ity for our ncy and Northern Virginia co mmunity.
Values
Vision
Nova-FR le verages te chnology to support a network o f food resc ue programs throughou t Northern Virginia to rescue and redistr ibute food .
Nova-FR sustainin
g a qualit
communit
a n d g re e
operates
y p ro c e s s
y relation
nhouse g
with integ
ships to r
as emiss
rity and r
, and buil educe fo
ions.
eliability,
ding valu
od waste
able
, hunger,
IMPACT REPORT // 2023
6
The Transfo
40% of food is wasted while 1 in 5 Americans go hungry...
NORTHERN VIRGINIA FOOD RESCUSE
ormative Impact of Food Rescue REDUCTION IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS: Food rescues play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, if food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States. When food that would otherwise be wasted is rescued and redistributed to those in need, it reduces the need for landfill disposal and the associated methane emissions, thus contributing to a decrease in overall greenhouse gas emissions. ECONOMIC BENEFITS: Food rescues have economic benefits for both donors and recipients. Businesses and restaurants that donate surplus food can often receive tax benefits or cost savings associated with reduced disposal fees. On the other hand, recipients of rescued food, such as food banks and shelters, save on their food procurement costs, allowing them to allocate resources to other critical services.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS: Food rescue initiatives provide nutritious meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity. Feeding America, for example, reports that for every $1 donated, they can provide at least 10 meals to people in need. This nutritional support not only addresses hunger but also improves the health and well-being of communities, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. FOOD RESCUE: NOURISHING COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE COMBATING FOOD WASTE When food is rescued, anything suitable for human consumption is distributed to locations such as churches, schools, shelters, and food pantries. If the salvaged food is not fit for human consumption, it can still be re-purposed to nourish animals and enrich farmland, diverting it from ending up in landfills. Food rescues play a vital role in reducing both food waste and its far-reaching consequences. By rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to those in need, food rescue not only alleviates hunger but also contributes to a more sustainable and equitable world, addressing critical environmental and social challenges.
IMPACT REPORT // 2023
8
Food Rescue Hero Com p a s sion in Action: H o w O u r Wa r ehouse Uni te s and Upl i fts Every person who walks through our doors
their children to volunteer, turning the day into
has a unique story. When they connect with
a combination of volunteering, physical edu-
either what we do or with others in the ware-
cation, math, and sometimes even science.
house, a new chapter in their story begins.
By the end of the day, they’ve gained empa-
We have been the starting point for numerous
thy and compassion for those less fortunate,
positive changes in this area, and it’s chal-
even if they previously fell into that category.
lenging to fully grasp until you experience it
Everyone who steps into our warehouse
firsthand.
learns valuable skills. We teach them how to
In this warehouse, we’ve formed a close-knit
operate a pallet jack, both manual and elec-
family with everyone who has volunteered
tric, along with various other tasks they can
their time. Each person has found their own
add to their resumes. While making a differ-
path to us. Some individuals initially come for
ence here, we manage to have a great deal of
community service but end up staying long
fun along the way.
after their required hours are completed. We also have homeschooling moms who bring
oes
4 1 ,5
s l a e
M
d e id
v o r P
1 d 4 o o 0 F , l a t o 10 T 2 3 s r 8 e , e t 0 n u 4 l o V 3 2 1 , 1
s e cu
s e R
Fa r m er s J oi n the Fi ght Agai nst Fo o d Wa ste: Ho w Food R e s c ue Be n ef i t s Both Communi ti e s and A gri c ul t u re Food rescue plays a crucial role in reducing food waste and its associated environmental and economic impacts. This practice involves the collection and distribution of surplus or unsellable food from various sources, including farms, to those in need. Farmers are essential participants in this process, as they often have excess produce that doesn’t meet market standards due to factors like size, appearance, or imperfections. By collaborating with food rescue organizations, farmers can ensure that their surplus crops do not go to waste and instead reach people facing food insecurity. This not only benefits the community but also provides farmers with a sustainable and responsible way to manage their surplus produce. IMPACT REPORT // 2023
E
10
M ME
BE
O RT
J
U OIN
S!
REM
EM
BER
TO
N JOI
US
coming OCTOBER 2024...
Hunger Is
NOVA-FR HEADQUARTERS
10535 Battleview Parkway, Manassas, VA 20109 Costume Contest • Silent Auction • Dancing • Appetizers
Sponsorships Available - Call Us: 703-822-5205
11
NORTHERN VIRGINIA FOOD RESCUE
Fueling Success with Backpacks In our commitment to addressing food insecurity, we prioritize nutrition as a cornerstone of our mission. Each week, throughout the school year, we meticulously pack hundreds of bags with wholesome food items. These bags are destined for Prince William County schools, where they become a lifeline for food-insecure students. By carefully selecting items that are both nourishing and satisfying, we aim to ensure that these students have access to essential nutrients, helping them maintain their health and well-being even during weekends when school meals are unavailable. These bags of food serve as more than sustenance; they represent a positive impact of goodwill in the community. We believe that strong communities are built on compassion and support. By coming together to combat food insecurity, we foster a sense of togetherness and resilience among our neighbors. As these students receive these bags of nourishment, they also receive a message of care from the people they live among, reinforcing the bonds that tie us all together.
IMPACT REPORT // 2023
12
Our Impact / 2,258,276 lbs of food rescued 1,149,640 meals provided 1,226,243 C02 mitigated 24,060 food scraps for farmers
21,760
lbs of hom deliverie
NORTHERN VIRGINIA FOOD RESCUE
/ / 2023 Statistics
0
me es
40,364
lbs average weight per donor We have established exceptional rapport with our food donors, resulting in consistently high donation weights. This elevated average donation weight places us among the top performers in our network, thereby expanding our capacity to provide sustenance to a greater number of individuals within our community.
3,777
completed food rescues A food rescue is initiated when a donation becomes accessible to NOVA-FR, at which point one of our dedicated volunteers or staff members undertakes the responsibility of collecting and effectively delivering the contribution to its designated and intended destination.
18,133
meals provided by home deliveries Food rescue initiatives yield notable benefits for home food delivery services. These initiatives involve the retrieval of surplus food, which would otherwise be discarded, enabling home food delivery services to furnish individuals with restricted mobility or limited transportation access with a valuable supply of fresh and nutritious ingredients.
IMPACT REPORT // 2023
OCT. 19, 2023 /
/ Staff Highlight
14
On behalf of the 31”’ District Court Service
sources are scarce for many and with the
Unit, we would like to officially thank [name
help of [NOVA-FR’s] we can offer some
redacted] and the Northern Virgina Food
assistance to them. Without the support and
Rescue. They have assisted us in setting up
generosity, many of these families would
and stocking food pantries in both of our
go hungry.[NOVA-FR’s] and the food rescue
offices. Our main office located in Manas-
have also assisted us by donating some
sas, VA started a food pantry and then our
food for our annual Christmas Food Basket
branch office in Woodbridge, VA soon fol-
Project. Our program has been in existence
lowed.
for over 49 years, and we appreciate all as-
These pantries would not have been possi-
sistance and kindness.
ble without [NOVA-FR’s] help and guidance.
In addition to donating food, [NOVA-FR’s]
A former Probation Officer, {name redacted] spearheaded the project with [NOVA-FR’s] help. We began working with [NOVA-FR’s] approximately three years ago. With (their) guidance and expertise our food pantries have been able to assist many clients experiencing hardship to get some food for their families. At this time, we recognize money and re-
allows our many of youth to go to the warehouse and complete community service hours. These opportunities allow our youth to see firsthand the need in our community and the chance to help others. The Northern Virginia Food Rescue is such a wonderful service to so many. We truly appreciate everything they do and look forward to continuing to partner with them in the future.
— Ellen A. Patterson
15
NORTHERN VIRGINIA FOOD RESCUE
Board Members Sara Singmaster, President
Ken Eggers
Julia Biggins (Vice President
Morgan Champion
Biotechnologist
Senior in House Counsel
Dawn McGruder (Treasurer)
Kara Pitek
President, CPA
Program Manager
Heather Ratcliff (Secretary)
Ebony Lofton
Communications Specialist
Sr. Loan Documentation Specialist
Randy Jones
Cheryl Hall
VP Information Technology
Wealth Management Advisor
Owner at Eggers Travel LLC
VP Marketing
James Kraut
Law Enforcement, Retd.
T han k You : On behalf of Northern Virginia Food Rescue, I want to thank everyone for their role in helping us eradicate food insecurity, while saving the environment. Each donation, volunteer hour, food rescue hero, and community partner has contributed towards ensuring that nutritious food is being redirected from landfills and delivered to the citizens of Prince William County. Without your participation, the remarkable world of food rescue would not exist. — Dr. Megan Fran co , Ph. D IMPACT REPORT // 2023
ob
p!
N
so Do ea w fe nlo sy w ad to ta im ps th pa g e , ct yo No et in in u rth vo ca yo er lv n ur n ed st co V a i r rt m gin , st re m ar ia sc un tr Fo uin ity ig o . ht g d su Re no rp w lus scu ! e fo m od o an bile d ap m p ak ing – w ith a jus po t sit ive a
LO AD
wn l o a d O u r M
Ap It’ s
Do
ile
DO W
16
IMPACT REPORT // 2023