An estimated 30-40% of the American food supply is wasted. That’s a shame when over 40 million Americans struggle with hunger. Our Surplus Project was created in an effort to simultaneously address problems of food waste and food insecurity.
Each day, cafeteria staff/volunteers repackage surplus prepared foods into individual meals in recyclable microwavable containers. All meals contain a vegetable, starch, and protein and are labeled with main allergens, protein, and packaging date. Once packaged, they are refrigerated while awaiting transport to recipient sites.
Donor Partners
- Rush Oak Park Hospital (co-founder)
- Dominican University
- Riveredge Hospital
- Loretto Hospital
- Oak Park and River Forest High School
- Oak Park Township Senior Services
Recipient Partners
- Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry (co-founder)
- West Cook YMCA
- Mills Park Tower
- Sarah's Inn
- New Life Ministries Food Pantry
- Ebenezer Food Pantry
Who can be a donor site? Any local full-service cafeteria or food service program can become a donor site. Including, but not limited to, hospitals, universities, schools, restaurants, grocers, corporations.
Who can be a recipient site? Any local organization that serves low-income populations can become a distribution site, including, but not limited to, food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, after school programs.