2006 Food Rescue Program

"I don't know what we would do without the help of Caritas." You might think that this comment came from one of the thousands of clients Caritas has assisted with food, clothing, or perhaps helped pay a utility bill or get a much needed prescription filled. But it didn't. It was made by a director of another not-for-profit program in the Waco area.

Many people are not aware that Caritas rescues as much as 35,000 pounds of bread and pastries each month from local food stores, restaurants, and other similar businesses. Besides providing these to walk-in clients, Caritas also offers these items at no cost to other social service and feeding programs in the community. Every month, these items are shared with about 75 agencies to be used in their feeding/snack programs.

Special thanks goes to Sally Norlie, Caritas' Warehouse Manager, who does a great job of food rescue. This food rescue program is an important future priority for Caritas of Waco.

Caritas rescued 1,610,308 lbs. of food in 2006.  About 85% of this food was secured from local grocers, bakeries, and food producers/distributors, and the remainder was donated through food drives by more than 60 congregations, businesses and community groups.  Besides using this food to meet the needs of its own clients through its food pantry.  Caritas shared about 800,000 lbs. of this food with 75 local feeding programs at no cost.