Food Recovery Journal

Food In Transit: Kory’s Ride Along

December 19, 2016

I spent the day with We Don’t Waste and it was obvious from word one that my driver Matt was more passionate about his work than most of us are on our best days. He told me that he measures his day not by number of servings or dollar amounts (though, those stats are meticulously tracked), but rather by thinking about the number of hungry people fed.

Our day took us all over the metro area, from hospitals and catering companies to non-profits doing a variety of inspiring work, serving all kinds of populations.

One specific stop stood out above the rest, however, and served as a microcosm of the We Don’t Waste mission. It was a delivery to an organization that provides the tools and guidance necessary for formerly incarcerated men and women to successfully transition back into society. This was We Don’t Waste’s first delivery here, but you wouldn’t have known that based on the incredibly warm reception that we received and the rapport between Matt and the staff there. We were even treated to a tour of their facility and a run-down of their incredible work. Herein lies the true power and importance of We Don’t Waste: it’s not just about picking up and delivering food, it’s about building relationships, and this was the beginning of a wonderful new relationship.

Herein lies the true power and importance of We Don’t Waste: it’s not just about picking up and delivering food, it’s about building relationships, and this was the beginning of a wonderful new relationship.

When your life is a daily struggle, a meal means so much more than a full stomach. It can mean the strength to persevere, a rejuvenation, an inspiration. The collaborations, partnerships, and friendships that can be built with the simple act of distributing food is extraordinary. We Don’t Waste is able to alleviate some of the burden that these other organizations deal with, enabling them to more effectively carry out their work and serve those who need it most.

It was wonderful to be a part of that effort.

Kory Kolar