A tale of two kitchens: An innovative partnership with Bellarmine Food Recovery Network

 

Chef David McAtee prepares meals at LFHS with the help of 
Food Recovery Network donations.

In the fall of 2014, the Bellarmine Food Recovery Network (BFRN), a partnership between Sodexo, the school’s facility management company, and Bellarmine students that focuses on decreasing food waste in the dining hall and feeding those in need in our community, asked Volunteers of America Mid-States to collaborate with them in their mission.  Through this partnership, fresh, nutritious food that would otherwise be thrown out is donated to Volunteers of America’s Louisville Family Housing Services (LFHS) to help provide meals to homeless families. 

Bellarmine students package and transport leftover food from the university dining hall to Volunteers of America’s LFHS, which provides three meals to 24 families every day, including 250 children per year.  Recent food recovery efforts included a donation of 10 pans of food, allowing the residents and their children to enjoy meals like homemade beef stew.

As Volunteers of America serves the physical, mental and social needs of the homeless adults and children we serve, we are very pleased to work in collaboration with partners like Bellarmine Food Recovery Network.  By meeting basic physical needs for good nutrition and well-balanced meals, Bellarmine Food Recovery Network joins in our work of promoting good health so that our families are able to achieve their goals and a better quality of life.  We are grateful for their contribution and support.

If you would like to learn more about how you or your organization can support our programs through food recovery, please contact Tabitha Hodges, Community Engagement Manager at 502-636-4650.