The Food Drive Celebrates Half a Million Pounds of Food Distributed

The Food Drive, a community-driven food rescue nonprofit based in Melrose, has reached a major milestone of 500,000 pounds (250 tons) of food distributed. Started in November 2020, The Food Drive serves Melrose and surrounding communities of Everett, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham, Wakefield, and Woburn. Their mission is to connect food with people, providing grassroots, hyperlocal solutions to hunger and food waste.

“In three words, WE DRIVE FOOD. We provide the missing link between available food and people who need it, and we’ve been able to do this work because of the over 150 local volunteers who offer their time and hands and hearts and wheels to help feed our neighbors,” reported Jana Gimenez, Executive Director and Co-Founder. The Food Drive utilizes its extensive volunteer network to recover good food that would otherwise be thrown away by local businesses and community organizations and deliver that food to thousands of people in the community dealing with food insecurity. Half a million pounds distributed translates to 435,000 meals, $865,000 in value, and 1.2 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions prevented.

At their April 1 Spring Shred Event, The Food Drive’s board celebrated with special guest Jim Oosterman of the Melrose Cooperative Bank Foundation, one of The Food Drive’s first funders. “Grant funding from the Melrose Coop Foundation literally kept our wheels turning during our first two years. We’re beyond grateful to them for believing in our work from the very beginning,” said Liz Bianco, Board President. The Foundation’s mission is to continue the legacy of the Melrose Cooperative Bank’s strong commitment to community service and charitable giving.

“For The Food Drive, however, consistency is more important than milestones, and people are more important than the pounds. Our most important job is delivering food that fits the needs of the people we serve.” shared Tony Gimenez, Program Director. The Food Drive distributes donated food seven days a week, year-round, focusing on the greatest impact within the closest proximity.

In addition to food rescue, The Food Drive coordinates ongoing community Food Donation Bins, targeted Neighborhood Food Drives, Free Meals from the Melrose Community Freezer in partnership with First United Methodist Church of Melrose, and a weekly volunteer program for Post Graduate students in the Melrose High School Special Education Department.

For information about The Food Drive’s work, visit www.thefooddrive.org.