Helping Hands Society of Cochrane & Area is proud to celebrate a major milestone in its Food Rescue program: the rescue and redistribution of more than $3 million worth of food back into the community.
To date, Helping Hands volunteers have rescued and redistributed more than 395,219 kilograms of food, representing an estimated value of $3,073,369.60. This food rescue effort has also helped divert approximately 1,321,850 kilograms of greenhouse gases (GHG) from the environment and represents an estimated 947,710 meals returned to the community.
Through partnerships with local grocery stores, businesses, and community supporters, Helping Hands Cochrane works to redirect perfectly good food that would otherwise go to waste, ensuring it instead reaches neighbours who need it most.
Since the creation of the first Free Food Shed back in July 2021, and thanks to the support of volunteers and the community, the organization rescues and redistributes an average of almost 7 thousand kilograms of food each month through its Free Food Sheds and community support programs, helping reduce food waste while increasing access to food across Cochrane and surrounding areas.
“This milestone represents the incredible power of community collaboration,” said Alex Montiel, Executive Director of Helping Hands. “Every donation, volunteer shift, and rescued food item contributes to something much bigger — supporting neighbours while reducing unnecessary waste. We are so proud of what this program and the volunteers have accomplished.”
Helping Hands’ Food Rescue program supports individuals and families facing food insecurity while also contributing to broader environmental sustainability efforts by diverting usable food from landfills.
The success of the program is made possible through a dedicated network of volunteers who collect, sort, and redistribute food throughout the community, along with the ongoing support of local partners and donors.
“Our Food Rescue program is about more than food,” added Montiel. “It’s about dignity, accessibility, community connection, and making sure resources are shared in a meaningful way.”
Helping Hands continues to look for volunteers and community partners interested in supporting Food Rescue efforts as demand for food access programs continues to grow.
To learn more about the Helping Hands Food Rescue program, visit: https://helpinghandscochrane.ca/food-rescue/
