Food Rescue at Tufts University

Lead: College students set aside schoolwork and parties in order to lend a helping hand to local food banks.

Brief Synopsis
Most college students are too wrapped up in their hectic lives to get involved in community action. It is hard enough juggling work, extra-curricular activities, and social events, let alone spending time on community involvement. But a large number of students at Tufts University have found time to help create a more socially sensitive and responsible world by helping donate food from restaurants and bakeries to local food shelters. Under the auspices of Tufts-based Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS), students involved in "Food Rescue" have a wonderful opportunity to devote themselves to the problem of hunger in America. After working with soup kitchens on food drives and with food banks, these volunteers view the world in a different light. Find out how this program hooks college students into continued direct personal experience with the community.

Program
Food Rescue Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS)
13 Sawyer Avenue
Tufts University
Medford, MA 02155
(617) 627-1170
Director: Ilana Sausen Email:isausen@emerald.tufts.edu

Story Contacts
Ilana Sausen Director
Food Rescue
111 Wren Hall
Tufts University
Medford, MA 02155
( 617) 627-1170
Email: isausen@emerald.tufts.edu
Relevant area: Community action against hunger.

Mara Quinn-Porzig
Tufts University Student
F474 Latin Way
Tufts University
Medford, MA 02155 (617) 627-1198
Email: mquinnpo@emerald.tufts.edu
Relevant area: Volunteer, Food Rescue

Erin Cox Director, Leonard Carmichael Society
Leonard Carmichael Society c/o Mayer Campus Center
Tufts University
Medford, MA 02155
(617) 627-9406
Email: ecox@emerald.tufts.edu
Relevant area: Voluntary service towards a responsible world.

Expert Contacts
Alison McGuire
The Greater Boston Food Bank, Inc.
99 Atkinson Street
Boston, MA 02118
Phone: (617) 427-5200
Fax: (617) 427-0146
Relevant area: New England Hunger Relief Program

Dr. J. Larry Brown Director
Hunger, Poverty and Nutrition
Tufts University
11 Curtis Avenue
Medford, MA 02155
(617) 627-3956
Relevant area: Expert on Hunger and Nutritional Effects

Dr. Ava L. McCall
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Curriculum and Instruction
800 Algoma Boulevard
Oshkosh, WI 54901 (920) 424-3155
Relevant area: Teaches social studies methods for elementary education majors and supervises clinical students at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Background
Twenty million Americans rely on food pantries or soup kitchen every month. (Second Harvest. (http://www.gbfb.org/us_hunger_facts.htm).

In a study done by The Greater Boston Food Bank, appalling figures about hunger and poverty were found. Here are some of those numbers:
_ Hunger affects everyone, not just a particular group of people. Of those served by The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) in eastern Massachusetts, approximately 54% are Caucasian, 30% are African-American, and 11% are Hispanic.
_ More than 30% of people served by The GBFB are children. Thirty percent of food programs associated with The Food Bank reported that the number of children they feed increases in the summer when children are not receiving breakfast and lunch at school.
_ Research done by the Food Bank indicates that even mild under-nutrition experienced by children during critical periods of growth may lead to significant reduction in cognitive development and physical growth.
_ The study showed that hunger affects other areas of people's lives too: 32% of households had to choose between paying their rent or mortgage and buying food at least once in the past 12 months. (Hunger 1997: The Facts & Faces. The Greater Boston Food Bank. Online. (http://www.gbfb.org/ma_hunger_facts.htm).

Fewer donations of food and more people requesting hunger relief has forced 45 percent of programs to stretch food supplies in the past year. Due to a lack of food, many programs and agencies were forced to turn more than 70, 000 clients in 1998. (Second Harvest. (http://www.secondharvest.org/websecha/d_ff4.htm).

The Greater Boston Food Bank is a non-profit clearinghouse for food donated by the private sector to help those who are hungry.
This is what they do:
_ The Food Bank annually distributes 13 million pounds of food, for a total wholesale value of over $16 million. The food is distributed to a network of more than 900 member feeding programs (including soup kitchens, food pantries and homeless shelters) throughout the nine counties in eastern Massachusetts.
_ Through its network of member feeding programs, The Food Bank helps to feed 465,000 people each month.
_ The Food Bank serves approximately 72 percent of those in need in Massachusetts.
_ A network of more than 3,500 community volunteers donates in excess of 33,000 hours annually to The Food Bank. (The Greater Boston Food Bank. (http://www.bgfb.org/general.htm).)

Second Helping, a prepared food rescue program of The Food Bank and in association with the Boston College Alumni Association, annually collects and distributes approximately 326,000 pounds of nutritious, perishable food that would otherwise be wasted, providing nearly 250,770 meals to hungry people. (Second Helping. Online. (http://www.gbfb.org/2ndhelping.htm).

Related Coverage Gabriele, Susan. "A Suggestion for using Quantities of Day-Old Food." The New York Times, Westchester Weekly Desk. Section 14WC, Page 9, Column I. (11 April 1999). (http:///web.lexis-nexis.com). Day-old deli, produce and groceries can be distributed to families in a community meeting place.

"Where You Live: Miles for Meals Event Coming." The Atlanta Constitution. Staff. Page 4B. (9 April 1999). (http://web.lexis-nexis.com). Henry County Council on Aging, Miles for Meals Event raises money for the council's programs combating hunger.

Compiled by: Jeanette Park

Mini-Starter #3 Food Rescue at Tufts University

Jeannette H. Park
Child & Family News
Nancy Martland
Fred Rothbaum
April 13, 1999