In December of 2019, we began the process of setting up Harvest and Hope as a 501(c)(3). Little did we know that only weeks later a pandemic would break out across the globe and make it exponentially more difficult for those who already were dealing with food insecurity. On May 10, 2020 – the day the US saw its first lockdown – Harvest and Hope announced that we had gotten approved as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The “food desert” communities in Houston struggle to get fresh food and often live on high carb processed foods. We not only rescue food but we also use rescued food to prep meals for food insecure children who may have their only meal of the day at a free lunch program at school. Meals are prepped to take home for evening and weekends. We also supply rescued food to residents at shelters and low income housing.
We don’t stop there. In addition to setting up Harvest and Hope Friends Fridges, our programs also offer job training in the hospitality and food industry for at risk youth, the ex-incarcerated and the homeless.
To carry out this great work, we are joined by volunteers and donors such as Costco and Krogers as well as many restaurants and community organizations. One of our first rescues was from my own Justus and Co Catering work at Christ the Redeemer Catholic School. Fresh fruits and veggies that would normally spoil or be tossed are prepped for donated meals!
We have come a long way thanks to the support of my friends and community. On behalf of Harvest and Hope and its clients, thank you for finding a way to be a part of what we are doing to respond to the needs of those facing food insecurity in the Houston area.
