Welcome to Our House

A quote about FRN's founding decorated the scene at our first-ever house party.

For many, St. Patrick’s Day was March’s big event. While we celebrated with cookies and our love for all things green (both the color and the environmental sense of the word), the big event for us at Food Recovery Network was our first-ever house party.

At our open, meet-and-greet house party, we had the pleasure of hosting more than 70 Washington, D.C.-area residents for an evening of refreshments, conversation and education. The goal? To create an intentional space for building connections between people who share a dedication to social and environmental justice, while also spreading the word about FRN and how we are working to create positive change at both the community and national levels. 

Throughout the evening, we shared information about the interrelated issues of food waste and hunger -- and how Food Recovery Network is working to combat both through its student-driven mission. We communicated our vision of a nation where food recovery is the norm rather than the exception. And we connected with others who share similar visions.

Tommy Wells, the director of the Department of Energy & Environment for the District of Columbia with more than 30 years of public service, spoke about creating positive social and environmental change right here in Washington, D.C. Kelliann Blazek, a legislative assistant, also attended the event on behalf of Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), the congresswoman who introduced the nation’s first bill that would significantly reduce food waste on a national scale. They were joined by dozens more professionals whose work generates a positive impact both for today and for the future. 

Looking to the future, in this fifth year since FRN’s founding, we are so grateful for all who have supported FRN and food recovery in general so far. We saw a snapshot of this support in the passion of our house party attendees, and we are so excited to continue building on the connections and momentum this event helped us create. 

We’re always looking to create connections in our communities. Interested in hosting a house party or similar event with Food Recovery Network? Let us know by emailing Karen Mawdsley at kmawdsley@foodrecoverynetwork.org.

The #GivingTuesday #FRNdzy results are in!

The FRN National team celebrates raising nearly $13,000 through the 2015 #GIvingTuesday #FRNdzy.

To our wonderful FRNds and supporters:

A month ago yesterday, we embarked on an ambitious fundraising campaign to support our efforts to bring Food Recovery Network to all 50 states and recover the next million pounds of food that would otherwise be wasted.

Yesterday, we celebrated #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving and the apex of our month-long #FRNdzy fundraiser. 

Today, we are awed of the outpouring of contributions from supporters like you -- active members of communities nationwide, who want to make food recovery the norm rather than the exception.

Thanks to you, we raised nearly $13,000 to help us work toward our goals.

With $13,000, Food Recovery Network can recover 13,000 meals! That’s enough to feed a family of four for three years. 

We are so grateful for the generous support of our donors and our awesome student leaders who help us channel these resources into impact.

Giving Thanks for our FRNds

Students at Madonna University work with their university dining services to recover and donate food to Life Challenge in Detroit, Michigan. 

Thanksgiving week is upon us, and here at Food Recovery Network we have a lot to be grateful for. 

We are grateful for our 160 chapters in 39 states. These student leaders and volunteers have recovered more than 1 million pounds of surplus food from their campus communities that otherwise would have gone to waste. Thank you for your leadership and dedication.

We are grateful for our partner agencies. These community organizations across the country work hand in hand with our student leaders to make sure recovered food ends up on the plates of those who need it most. Thank you for your partnership and service. 

We are grateful for our dining hall and restaurant partners. These eateries go the extra mile to donate their surplus food rather than throw it away. Thank you for your initiative and commitment. 

One of FRN’s core values is reflection, so I’d like to take some time to reflect on the past four years by sharing some stories of gratitude from those involved in FRN’s journey.

From a student: “After we made our second recovery, I received a call from our contact at our partner agency. He took time out of his Saturday to call and tell me how grateful they were at Life Challenge to be receiving these donations. He said that he had told the residents that they received these donations from students at Madonna University and they were all excited to know who we were! Consistently after that, he always makes sure that we know that they use all the food and the residents are very thankful. After that moment, I knew this was all worth it! I am so glad we are participating with FRN and making this difference in our little corner of the world.” -- Katie Crombez, President of FRN at Madonna University

From a partner agency: “Food Recovery Network is remarkable not only for the array of wholesome food they donate to us, but for the spirit of the students who work with us. In the high-pressure environment of a major college (Providence College), students finding the time and the desire to serve their community is inspiring. … Their donations are invaluable in helping us to keep feeding the people who depend on us. I’m very grateful to be part of the network.” -- Larry LoVerde, Kitchen Manager at McAuley House

From a recipient of FRN food: “I so appreciate the help of PLASE during this transition and crisis. I felt part of a family in so many ways. This did indeed include the daily meals, conversations and kindness of residents and staff. I know part of the food was donated through Goucher College. It added good and new foods. I am so appreciative."  -- Ms. K. G., a veteran served by Project PLASE 

Finally, we are grateful for our funders and donors. Your contributions help us fulfill our mission of fighting waste, feeding people, and developing student leaders. Thank you for your support and investment. 

Please consider making a donation to FRN today as part of our annual #GivingTuesday #FRNdzy fundraiser.

Chapters get creative in their #GivingTuesday #FRNdzy fundraising

The #GivingTuesday #FRNdzy is well underway, and we've raised nearly $2,000 toward our $20,000 goal. Check out some of the awesome fundraisers our chapters are putting together!

• University of Illinois at Chicago: Screening the documentary Just Eat It
• Mercyhurst: Hosting a balloon event. (Each balloon will have prize written in it. People will buy balloons for a set price, pop them, and win a prize.)
• Drake: Raffling off a dozen cupcakes from an amazing local gourmet cupcakery
• University of New England: Partnering with a local coffee shop and grocery store
• University of Pittsburgh: Hosting an all-day bake sale in Posvar Hall
• Santa Clara University: Selling baskets of vegetables donated from a campus garden
• Susquehanna University: Hosting a food justice event including a presenter and a documentary screening
• Rhodes College: Partnering with a hunger and homelessness team, implementing Trayless Tuesdays and Weigh-In Wednesdays, hosting a Give Back Gala
• University of Minnesota at Twin Cities: Hosting a recovered food banquet or bake sale
• University of Maryland: Raffling off FRN swag to UMD students
• Christian Brothers University: Hosting a documentary viewing and then a discussion panel about food waste and how to raise awareness and combat the issue.

Are you planning an awesome #GivingTuesday #FRNdzy fundraiser? Let us know by tagging Food Recovery Network in your posts on Facebook and Twitter.

Support a chapter near you today. 

The #GivingTuesday #FRNdzy Story