Home » Nonprofits » Charities » Charities that Feed Hungry

What do you think of helping the hungry with rescued food?

and I wonder, Have you ever looked in a bin yourself?

From the lens SECRET FREEGAN: Rescuing Food to Feed Homeless.

Thank you for sharing comments and experiences about urban harvesting.

  • TandCrecruitment Mar 1, 2012 @ 7:26 am | delete
    SUPER MARKETS AND SHOPS SHOULD GIVE IT TO THE HOMELESS... People should not have to beg.... Especially with the waste factor. How ever, I do love your Lens its wonderful lens. Thanks for sharing this.... And thank you for what you do. Wasn't shouting at you.. Supermarkets just make me soooo very angry allowing people to starve while they have wonderful products in their bins
  • CPDInteractive Feb 6, 2012 @ 2:37 am | delete
    Thanks for Great post. I really like this article.
  • LooLooBird Jan 20, 2012 @ 3:02 pm | delete
    I think it's absolutely brilliant. I only learned about this trend a week or two ago, and I watched the documentary "DIVE! Living Off America's Waste". It was truly eye opening. To think that we have everything we need already to solve the hunger crisis taking over our nation, if only the grocery stores would open their eyes to the benefits of DONATING instead of TOSSING. The benefits spread across so many aspects, social, environmental, economical.....and honestly, it's nice to know that someone who clearly has it together isn't below doing this. I want to start scoping out dumpsters in my area!
  • Ian Jan 19, 2012 @ 4:34 pm | delete
    I work in the Deli for a NE Supermarket, the largest, we support local food banks, compost, and yet I feel we still throw so much stuff out.
  • Aime Dec 14, 2011 @ 8:28 am | delete
    Thank you so much for what you do! My church youth group is participating in the Great Potatoe Drop this Saturday. I am creating flyers for the event. I would love to include some of your pics of watsed food to post at the event. Is there anyway you can share?
  • SecretFreegan Dec 17, 2011 @ 9:57 pm | delete
    Yes, you are welcome to use photos from my site for your event. You can right click on a photo, choose copy, then paste it on your flyer. What is the Great Potato Drop?
  • dolphinstar Dec 9, 2011 @ 4:23 am | delete
    This is a huge amount of food waste but i think rather than freegan it businesses should donate it to homeless shelters etc. Restaurants would have a huge amount of food they waste and that should be saved and taken to people in need. However it must be done with food hygiene in mind as the last thing a homeless person needs is a bout of gastro
  • fionamckay9 Nov 21, 2011 @ 11:33 am | delete
    I can't believe that the stores are more concerned about being sued than helping the homeless - thank goodness most of our stores here donate the excess food so we don't have to go dumpster diving.
  • Ninon Oct 26, 2011 @ 5:19 pm | delete
    the bins in the Netherlands don't contain food. But its quit normal to put and pick up good household stuff near the underground dumpsters. Really found some good furniture
  • CPDInteractive Oct 11, 2011 @ 12:15 am | delete
    wow, this is great information!!! Thank you for writing this :)
  • SecretFreegan Oct 26, 2011 @ 6:50 pm | delete
    Hi, Thanks for your comment on my lens. Glad you liked it!
  • tvyps Sep 20, 2011 @ 3:36 am | delete
    As long as they are not muffin stumps! They are hard to get rid of! (Seinfeld episode) lol.
  • SecretFreegan Oct 26, 2011 @ 6:51 pm | delete
    LOL Thanks for your comment on my "secret freegan" lens!
  • Billie Aug 30, 2011 @ 4:26 am | delete
    Here in Chicago the waste is absurd! Food, clothes, toys, hangers, OTC medicines & tons of paper in all forms that could be used in schools, for crafts or at least re-cycled are just a few of the things I have witnessed. One store throws away shoes when returned but not without first pressing out a large hole into the bottom of at least one in each pair to make them unusable. Clothes they take back or have not sold due to a tiny problem (ex. missing one button) are first CUT with scissors to make them unusable! What is the liability here? I have pulled apart dozens of these sweaters and donated the yarn. The food from the well known Drug Store has disgusted me for years, I showed all of this to our local news and they say people will not care about this sort of story - unless maybe I find proof that the food items are not expired. When I find the food items they usually are expiring the day they are thrown out, but completely fine & could be eaten that night by the hungry!!!
    While I could I went daily to these dumpster and saved many usable / edible items from the landfill, sorted it & stored it until I could get it into the right hands.
    When I see the huge amount of waste here from the 4 stores whose dumpsters are on our loading dock I try to imagine that this is just 4 stores waste - 4 stores. The American waste is HUGE and should not be allowed to happen on such large scale.
    These same stores do not recycle ANYTHING - their own weekly flyers are tossed into the dumpster by the thousands come Saturday night closing time. The vendors supplying items at this upscale closing store package their goods in plastic that promotes recycling it..... these are in the garbage daily (wonder how that vendor would feel about that). As a single disabled Mother I just finally got overwhelmed by it all and had to step back. Would love to find help with changing it though!!!
  • SecretFreegan Oct 26, 2011 @ 6:52 pm | delete
    Hi, Yes, the waste from U.S. stores is a tsunami of overwhelming items that are perfectly good! Thanks for doing your part in diverting some of it in Chicago to good use!
  • Me Aug 23, 2011 @ 10:39 am | delete
    Hey, I'm working on a freegan-oriented online community. Check it out:

    http://freegan.proboards.com
  • benasstankus@msn.com Aug 16, 2011 @ 9:20 am | delete
    hi. i too, dive for single moms and friends who need help. i see the products in your pic from s- food chain. are there any others? s- keeps me well stocked with their wastefullness. fyi i can tell you they are really bad at their plant as well. not too many take time to donate there. it means stocking palletts for st marys and teres too much work to do so they get little. easier to throw it away..
  • Ramkitten Aug 12, 2011 @ 12:00 pm | delete
    Wow, you're doing a wonderful thing. It's just incredible how much food is thrown away that's perfectly good. I applaud you for your amazing effort AND an excellent lens. *Blessed by an angel on the Back to School Bus Tour*
  • nrcam Jul 19, 2011 @ 4:29 pm | delete
    i just love what you are doing. i don't live in the states but i am amazed of all the stuff that is trown away. if i lived there, i would be simply join u.
  • L.H. May 31, 2011 @ 11:45 pm | delete
    I think it's incredibly cool that you are doing this. I wish I had the courage to. Where I live the laws dealing with it are scary, and I am terrified of going to jail. I am going to see what we can do locally to affect the laws, because this makes so much sense to do.
  • Shana May 27, 2011 @ 2:59 pm | delete
    ok, what is the new discreet style you use, and what store tosses speakers, tires, refrigerator, etc. I love what you are doing--very inspirational!!! We can easily afford groceries too, but just recently I was witness to a stores daily trash, was appalled, and have been researching since. Thanks for what you do!!
  • fruagalheart Mar 20, 2011 @ 12:03 pm | delete
    Alot of that food looks better than our local stores sell. Good for you for doing this. I see people on the stockpiles forum at refundsweepers.com site have donated there extra stuff they get free after coupons are doubled or a rebate is used but what you are doing goes way beyond the stockpiles the gals have accumulated and donate from the site I just mentioned
  • EmmaCooper Oct 23, 2010 @ 3:38 am | delete
    Awesome :) I have lensrolled you on my Really Rubbish Ideas lens, which is all about reducing waste.
  • Lauren Gilroy Sep 12, 2010 @ 9:39 pm | delete
    Hello! I'm helping to produce a show in LA, and I would love to get in touch with local Freegans to interview. Respond to this comment or send me an email if you're interested! lauren@doinitwithethan.com
  • pizzapie Sep 7, 2010 @ 6:16 pm | delete
    Wow, I too hate the waste that goes on in this country. I used to work at a hotel and they'd dump barrels of filet and lobster after a banquet. I'm seriously thinking about this freegan thing. I can't get you free pizza, but may these pizza coupons can help...
  • sind310 Sep 3, 2010 @ 11:12 pm | delete
    I live in Los Angeles/Long Beach area, does any one know where I can go dumpster diving without getting arrested???
  • clouda9 Aug 29, 2010 @ 10:59 pm | delete
    This is quite a venture you have taken on! It is appalling to see all that food dumped, especially when there are so many starving and homeless people right here within our US borders. Stores have probably had to not give due to our litigious society...damn shame for sure.

    Thank you for following your heart to do this!
  • Marc Aug 2, 2010 @ 12:38 pm | delete
    I have done that myself when I was homeless. Unfortunately in most states it is illegal. I almost got arrested for tresspassing. I think it is great what you do.
  • boby Jul 17, 2010 @ 9:33 pm | delete
    have you ever gotten sick from this?
  • Pastor Lu May 8, 2010 @ 10:12 pm | delete
    I'm from St. Louis, and we are fortunate to have an organization, Operation Food Search that we work with to provide over 4000 meals each week with perishable food. Instead of it going into the dumpster... we work with OFS and pick up the food from grocery stores, outdoor farmer's markets, and this year - even Busch Stadium where the St. Louis Cardinal's play to keep the food from going into the dumpster... and into the tummys of hungry people.

    It works.. and we've been doing this in an organized manner for 12 years.

    Any city can do this; and it doesn't take much except consistency. Food donors want to make sure you pick up when you say you will. The Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, passed in the 80's, insures the donor that when the food leaves their premises, they are no longer responsible for it. We are... and that does take some skill to make certain that nothing harms anyone.

    Would be glad to share what we've learned with others who want to feed those who are hungry.
  • JenOfChicago Apr 24, 2010 @ 4:36 pm | delete
    I have known groups that do this in the past, and it can definitely work. Blessed by a squidangel
  • Norma Mar 18, 2010 @ 4:44 am | delete
    I would really like to learn how to do this or get hints on where the best store are. I am in the El Mirage, AZ area would love to help local food banks or shelters.
  • Alaina Jun 5, 2009 @ 11:14 am | delete
    Hi,
    I'm a New Yorker seeking to join an organization that does this (or start a grassroots movement of my own). Is there anyone who can lead me in the right direction? I don't know where to start. Please email me at acuglietto@gmail.com

    Thanks!
  • Quirina May 10, 2009 @ 6:59 am | delete
    Kudos, you are doing a great job!
    You might be interested to know that similar projects started in Germany in the mid-90's. In Berlin, a non-profit organization was founded that collects leftovers from stores, restaurants, canteens and other sources. But in contrast to you, they do not collect it secretly from the garbage, but have those companies as official partners/donors. It works well, has become big and spread to many cities in Germany. The original organization is called 'Berliner Tafel' (Tafel being a word for a dining table). If you might like to visit their website: http://www.berliner-tafel.de/en/index2.php
  • Janet Mar 31, 2009 @ 10:36 pm | delete
    I've been doing what you're doing (although not as much volume) since last year. What you're doing is a blessing to so many people. I find so much food it's insane what grocery stores throw away. My food finds have helped me and many people in my neighborhood who are hurting. It's a shame what stores throw away. It really is. But you can't save the world. But I'm doing my part one bin at a time to help others.
  • Demaw Mar 17, 2009 @ 4:36 am | delete
    I am very impressed by your service to your community. This lens gave me food for thought. 5*
  • mysterygirl Feb 26, 2009 @ 10:36 pm | delete
    I just rescued my first batch of goodies yesterday with my partner in crime (as going behind some of the stores is a little creepy and its nice to have a driver and a diver for quick gettaway;). just took two boxes but they were just sitting there with labels dated to expire that same day! left some of it for other people who might need it, some people we know who are fellow freegans. everything totaled about 150 dollars including some very nice expensive fontina cheese that was just divine.

    Looking forward to donating to charity since there is such an abundance! Hooray for food liberation!
  • Karla Feb 13, 2009 @ 12:43 pm | delete
    Excellent work .... inspiration!

    We're trying to start up the same thing here in Michigan but finding so many restrictions as the majority of bins are locked and/or stores have compacting units.

    If you ever have any ideas or suggestions on how to overcome some of these obstacles, we're all ears....

    Thanks again for the work you do.

    Karla
    http://1-dollar-a-day.blogspot.com
  • Penycat Feb 9, 2009 @ 7:36 pm | delete
    We've started doing the same here where I live after seeing the show on Oprah and our pics are close to the same! I can't believe how much we throw away. I've got a large group of homeless that we feed now each week, we have dozens of families that have been struggling that we give food to though diving. Only thing I don't yet know if the "official" law on it in my city. any idea where I can find that? I've searched online, but still haven't found a yes or no. Thanks for this lens!
  • ShamanicShift Dec 14, 2008 @ 9:42 pm | delete
    Greetings!

    What an amazing eye-opening useful lens! I am going to link to it on one of my (still relatively few I'm afraid) lenses.

    Many Blessings,
    ~ Elizabeth
    ShamanicShift
  • jpetals Dec 11, 2008 @ 11:53 pm | delete
    What a fascinating lens with wonderful detail. 5 stars!! You lead such a wonderful and interesting life... awesome.
  • slimfender Nov 28, 2008 @ 6:20 pm | delete
    Hi!!! I follow you on Twitter and I think what you're doing is the most marvelous thing ever! Makes me cry tears of joy! Keep it up Secret Freegan!
  • Jen Nov 21, 2008 @ 12:46 pm | delete
    I love love love what you do.....The waste in our country makes me crazy. Keep it up.
  • terrapin719 Nov 13, 2008 @ 12:36 pm | delete
    Wow. Just wow is all I can say. I'm amazed at what truly gets tossed out at a store. I've never looked in a bin, but I'm thinking I might have to start taking a peek.
  • Lori Ann Nov 11, 2008 @ 11:11 pm | delete
    Very interesting... I'll be following on twitter, plus adding to this weekend's link-roundup for "green" on my blog, www.SimpleMakes.com.
  • Belindance Nov 6, 2008 @ 5:09 pm | delete
    People have no idea how much food is wasted in our society. People think poor people get all the help they need from food banks, not so the food is usually of a poor quality, and your limited to how many time a year you can receive help.

    Most freegans have to do this, they have chronic health problems, live on social security or disability, or just don't make enough money. Nowadays that a lot of the population.

    Keep up the good work, you are a true "Earth Angel"!
  • Robin Nov 6, 2008 @ 12:54 am | delete
    Hi Secret Freegan. We follow each other on Twitter, and I just wrote a blog post about the term freegan. I linked to this website and talked a bit about what you do. You can see the post at http://robinshreeves.blogspot.com/2008/11/green-term-of-week-freegan.html

    Also, I used a photo from your site and credited you. If you would rather I not use the photo, please let me know, and I'll remove it.

    I think what you're doing is awesome.
  • Tiffany Oct 25, 2008 @ 9:26 am | delete
    LOVE your lens!!! Thanks for the great info and for what you are doing to feed the hungry.
  • ToyRescueUSA Oct 14, 2008 @ 12:59 pm | delete
    ToyRescue ~ New ~ Vintage ~ Refurbished

    Unlike thrift stores - We clean, repair and help find homes for unwanted toys and other items.
    Recycled toys , Anime, Antiques, Appliances, Backpacks, Bags, Clothing, Costumes, Decorations, Disney, Dolls, Electronics, Figurines, Furniture, Green, Housewares, Memorabilia, Pokemon, Sanrio, Sesame Street, Snoopy, Stuffed animals, Souvenirs, Thrift, Toy Repairs

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  • RawBill Oct 2, 2008 @ 4:20 am | delete
    I know of people in Australia who eat this way and they say that often there is too much for them to carry! They have bikes with trailers! Giving it away to people less fortunate is a wonderful thing to do! :-)
  • tdove Sep 27, 2008 @ 1:37 pm | delete
    Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!
  • phnx0221 Sep 26, 2008 @ 10:22 am | delete
    Wow, what a great idea! I have friends that take food from dumpsters, but I haven't thought of giving it to homeless shelters. I'll let them know about what you've done, and link your page to them.

    What a wonderful idea!
  • rms Sep 23, 2008 @ 5:21 pm | delete
    I've lensrolled this on to my Who are the Freegans? lens!

by

SecretFreegan

Hi,
When I first saw Oprah's segment on "freegan" living in February 2008, I thought, "How disgusting! Yuck! I would never dig through dirty garbage... more »

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