War Memorial becomes a food donor with Food Rescue US-Detroit
GROSSE POINTE FARMS May 1, 2024 – Sustainability is a key reason The War Memorial is partnering with Food Rescue US-Detroit.
The partnership between the two nonprofit organizations began in mid-April. It includes The War Memorial being a food donor for Food Rescue Detroit, meaning that leftover food from The War Memorial will be picked up by Food Rescue Detroit volunteers and taken to area social service agencies like food pantries, shelters, and veterans service facilities.
The War Memorial views the connection as a way to increase sustainability on our campus and reduce waste.
“This is something we’re excited to do,” War Memorial President & CEO Maria Miller said. “We’re doing our part to find different ways to be more sustainable.”
In shadowing various departments after starting as President & CEO in 2023, Miller remarked how she was surprised by the amount of food waste at The War Memorial.
“This has been an initiative of mine - to have a food waste related partner at The War Memorial,” Miller said. “We want to leave a better environmental footprint. Being a food donor is far better than leftover food going into a dumpster.”
Darraugh Collins, site director of Food Rescue Detroit, said the group wanted to partner with The War Memorial because it understands that food waste happens everywhere.
“We want event locations to know that we are an option. It doesn’t matter if you have one or 200 trays of food. Any amount is helping someone eat.” she said.
Collins explained that Food Rescue US is the national organization and Food Rescue Detroit is the Detroit chapter.
“We have over 700 registered rescuers, do over 120 rescues every week, and have over 130 food donors,” she said.
Food Rescue Detroit serves all of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
Food Rescue’s motto is simple – fill plates. Not landfills. Local volunteers pick up excess healthy food from local food donors and deliver it directly to local social service agencies that feed the food insecure.
In addition to collecting leftover food from The War Memorial, Food Rescue Detroit will pick up extra flowers, an item that brings joy to many.
“Even though we are a food rescue, we feel that flowers are something you typically pick up in a grocery of food setting often, and who doesn’t love flowers?” Collins said.
Some Food Rescue receiving partners include Motor City Mitten Mission, Peace Lutheran Food Pantry, and Everybody Eatz.
Its website states that up to 40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted, with millions of pounds of excess food ending up in landfills. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates food waste at 549 pounds of food waste per person sent for disposal in 2021.
To volunteer to pick up food for Food Rescue Detroit from places like The War Memorial, visit foodrescue.us.
About The War Memorial
The War Memorial, located on the shores of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Farms is an experiential space open to everyone. Celebrating 75 years as a nonprofit organization in 2024, The War Memorial serves as a patriotic, cultural, and community center. Our diverse lineup of innovative programming includes live engagement experiences for adults and children. For 75 years, The War Memorial has celebrated the ideas of American democracy while honoring those who have defended those ideas with tireless effort and personal sacrifice. The War Memorial remains committed to serving the community as a unique, dynamic, and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan.
To learn more, please click here.
CONTACT:
Alex Szwarc, The War Memorial
Manager of Communications and Marketing
313.881.7514, aszwarc@warmemorial.org