As Valentine’s Day approaches, Saving Grace wants to share a little love with those who support us. It's heartwarming to see how much our community cares about their less fortunate neighbors. We are grateful for our financial donors, food donors, nonprofit partner agencies, collaborating partners, team members, volunteers, and other supporters who make our work possible.
Despite the pandemic, Saving Grace raised a record amount during our annual fund drive - $40,025 from 227 donors. In 2020, we rescued and/or redistributed 1,347,981pounds of fresh, healthy food to feed the hungry. This is a 25% increase over the total amount of food rescued in 2019.
While numbers are impressive, it's the lives that are touched by this generosity that matter most. People who feel the love we are able to share with them through healthy food because of your generosity. Thank you!
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Saving Grace Expands to Meet Increased Need for Food |
Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue has adapted its logistics and distribution model to meet emerging needs for more food to feed the hungry during the pandemic:
- When donations from regular food donors dropped because of business closures and supply chain issues, Saving Grace joined community conversations addressing increased food insecurity.
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Saving Grace partnered with the Omaha Restaurant Association, Food Bank for the Heartland, Millard Public Schools, Catholic Charities and the COVID-19 Garden/Farming Response group to provide logistics and transportation services.
- A new refrigerated van (shown above) and two team members – a deputy director and a manager of field operations – were added as part of capacity building initiatives.
Food rescued and/or redistributed by Saving Grace is matched to the needs of nearly 40 nonprofit partner organizations, including pantries, shelters, transitional living facilities, senior centers, after-school programs and clinics.
With the need for food remaining high this year because of the pandemic, Saving Grace will continue to be diligent in looking for new ways to provide food.
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“The pandemic underscored the need for greater equity in access to healthy perishable foods, and this expansion enables us to make a larger impact."
--Beth Ostdiek Smith, CEO and founder.
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Help Feed 100 People Each Month
In these uncertain times, the need for food is greater than ever. As our community rallies to address increased food insecurity, Saving Grace continues to provide nutritious excess perishable food to our nonprofit partner agencies that feed children, seniors, veterans and families.
You can help ensure healthy food feeds 100 of our hungry neighbors each month, rather than landfills. Simply set up a recurring monthly donation of $20 in 2021 and make a real difference in our community.
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Support Saving Grace through Target Circle |
Saving Grace is honored to have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target. And you have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to Saving Grace.
Now through March 31, vote for Saving Grace through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up. Every vote counts to help us receive a portion of the available Target funds. As you earn more votes, you can keep voting multiple times during the campaign!
Here’s how to vote:
- Login to target.com/circle and choose the "help direct where Target gives" banner.
- Or, go to your Target App, click your name in the lower right-hand corner, scroll below your purchase history and favorites, and choose the Circle banner that says, "more rewarding, all around".
- Choose to vote for nonprofits, select Saving Grace, and designate your votes!
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“I love it when they (Saving Grace’s drivers) come here and say ‘Robert, come check out the truck.’”
- Chef Robert, Stephen Center
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