Forgotten Harvest – Dedicated to Nourishing Lives

In our first Spotlight On feature, we’re focusing on Forgotten Harvest. They started in 1990 with a mission to fight two problems: hunger and food waste. Forgotten Harvest “rescues” over 40 million pounds of surplus food from 800 sources annually – enough to feed 3.4 million people a year!

This donated food would otherwise go to waste, and comes from grocery stores, markets, restaurants, caterers, dairies and farmers. It’s delivered free of charge to 280 emergency food providers in the metro Detroit area. They feed hungry people covering a 2,000-square-mile radius throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

How much food does Forgotten Harvest deliver?

Forgotten Harvest delivers 3.4 million pounds of rescued food each month to soup kitchens, pantries and shelters.

According to food trade standards:

1 pound of food = 1 meal

This is the same as 3.4 million meals per year!  

How are they funded?

Forgotten Harvest is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, funded by foundation grants, individual and corporate contributions, religious organizations, service groups and fundraising events. All donations are tax deductible as permitted by law. Contributions are also eligible for a Michigan tax credit.

What are we doing to help?

On Aug. 12, our Marketing & Community Outreach department held their annual summer team activity. Instead of the usual outing to a local park, the entire team gave their time to support the Forgotten Harvest cause in person. Roughly 30 department members put on aprons, gloves and hair nets and began the day with a goal of preparing lunch for 2,000 people. They exceeded the goal by assembling over 3,200 sandwiches in less than three hours.

“We were happy to help support Forgotten Harvest and their mission – plus everyone had a great time,” says DeAndre Lipscomb, HAP vice president of Marketing & Community Outreach.

What can you do to help?

Volunteers are critical to their mission and daily work of Forgotten Harvest. Thousands of individuals, groups and companies around metro Detroit have joined the Forgotten Harvest Rescue Team. Anyone willing to help end hunger by volunteering their time or making a financial gift becomes a part of the team.

No contribution is too small. Without them, Forgotten Harvest simply could not help those in need. Learn more about how you can help at Forgotten Harvest.