SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – A crucial part of the fight to end food insecurity depends on community donations. And the most significant impact often comes from a group of strangers that come together to donate, volunteer, and distribute.
“I want to say the excess food we have is maybe 75 pounds to 100 pounds every couple of weeks,” said Adam Sapinoso.
Sapinoso works for National Food Group, a wholesale food service distributor in San Diego. From time to time, his inventory exceeds his client's needs leaving him with additional food that he doesn’t need. That food is often tossed out.
“It was just hard seeing that much food being thrown away, especially when you’re the one physically throwing it in the dumpster,” said Sapinoso.
Looking for a solution, he turned to Feeding San Diego’s app called Meal Connect. This app connects restaurants and companies with Feeding San Diego volunteers. Those volunteers pick up excess food from companies and restaurants when it is most convenient for the company.
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The volunteer then heads to one of Feeding San Diego’s distribution locations to drop off the donations. The food is then unpacked and sorted out and distributed to the community.
One of those sites is Wesley Community Services Center in City Heights.
“When we started, this program was upstairs with coffee and donuts. Now, eight years later, we are doing a million pounds a year, 1500 meals a month, and it’s just growing.
