Local Organization Delivers Excess Food To Those In Need
BOSTON (CBS) - Most of us take for granted a bountiful table on Thanksgiving, and every other day of the year. But how about those less fortunate?
Well, one local organization is feeding people with food that would otherwise be wasted, and it's not all coming from grocery stores.
Ashley Stanley started Lovin' Spoonfuls about 2 years ago. Every day she makes her rounds, picking up food that might be thrown away, and delivering it to people in need.
"There is enough food out there. Let's get it," she says.
WBZ-TV's David Wade reports.
No one else is doing what Lovin' Spoonfuls does in the Boston area. They collect food not only from supermarkets and farms, but from restaurants as well.
On the day WBZ-TV rode with her, Ashley made pickups at Myers and Chang and Island Creek Oyster Bar. Both Boston restaurants had fresh leftovers from catered events.
"There are so many restaurants. If there was a unifying convenience that brought this food where it was needed, it would have a phenomenal effect," says Christopher Myers, the co-owner of Myers and Chang. Lovin' Spoonfuls is providing that convenience, making it easy for restaurants to donate.
"Ashley kind of filled the void where she is directly utilizing what is left over that is perfectly good, and bringing it to those who need it," says Jeremy Sewall of Island Creek.
The food that comes from restaurants isn't what remains after their regular day is done, it usually comes from over cooking for parties and events.
Lovin' Spoonfuls brings the food to homeless shelters, domestic violence safe houses, and soup kitchens like the Haley House in the South End. The food is not only nutritious, it helps those sometimes overburdened organizations stretch their budgets.
"We're trying to integrate a better way to eat and really provide access to the food that you and I get to eat into places where folks might not see that," says Ashley.
"It's a really nice way to supplement what we provide here," adds Jon Klein of Haley House.
And the work is expanding. Lovin' Spoonfuls will soon have a second truck on the road.
"There's food every day and there are hungry people every day, and we really want to make sure we can connect those two," says Stanley.
And on Thanksgiving, as most of us sit down to dinner with family and friends, Ashley will be out there delivering, giving people who are usually forgotten a little to be thankful for.
Though most of the food Lovin' Spoonfuls collects is from markets and farms, about 20 restaurants have also donated food to their 2-year-old effort.
