August 2024 Newsletter

Grow Alongside Cultivate

On June 20th, we celebrated a monumental milestone at Cultivate Food Rescue: the grand opening of our 22,000-square-foot cold storage facility in South Bend! This cutting-edge space is a game-changer in our fight against hunger and food waste.

With this new facility, we’re set to rescue over $47 million worth of nutritious meals each year—an incredible leap from our previous capacity. Growing into this facility in the coming years, we will eventually rescue 20 million pounds of perishable food annually—10 times more than before!

This is more than just a building; it’s a beacon of hope for our community. Together, we’re creating a future where no one goes hungry. Thank you for your continued support in making this vision a reality!

Meeting The Growing Need

The mission of the HUB Bristol is “Bringing hope, healing, and wholeness to Bristol. The H.U.B stands for “Hearts United for Bristol”. Evolving from the Bristol Community Food Pantry, they have served the area for over 20 years. Serving about 200 families, the HUB is an integral part of the safety net in Bristol.

One outcome of any organization’s success is the need for growth. This growth is not just about numbers; it’s about nurturing a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has access to the nourishment they need. Executive Director, Christopher Garner said, “The partnership with Cultivate has bolstered what we can give and the quality of food we can give over the last few years.” The HUB began partnering with Cultivate in 2021, when it redistributed 3,300 pounds of food from Cultivate. In 2024, they are on pace to redistribute over 35,000 pounds or 28,500 meals. According to Cultivate’s Director of Operations, Bob Herbert, “Cultivate is only as successful as our pantry and school partners. Without the boots on the ground, those taking our food the “last mile”, Cultivate is just a big refrigerator. Because of them, we are so much more.”

Spending time at organizations like the HUB and Cultivate is a reminder that each is but one piece of the puzzle. The success and growth of both are interdependent. They are testaments to the power of the collective effort and enduring spirit of giving. Together, we are planting the seeds for a future of abundance, where everyone has access to the nourishment they need to thrive.

Growing the Soul

(A perspective from Director of Outreach, Laura McNally)

By the end of 2024, we are on track to have over 8,000 volunteers through our doors. Each person has a reason for coming. Coaches bring sports teams to build unity. Professors bring classes to teach them

about sustainability. A college graduate moves to the area and wants to connect with like-minded people. A newly retired couple looks for activities to keep their minds and bodies moving.. At Cultivate, we have the honor of getting to know these volunteers and understand their motivations. In talking with them, themes that resonate are purpose and gratitude.

Some of our volunteers are fighting battles. One dedicated woman comes in when she feels strong enough between chemotherapy treatments. Another needs to wear a mask because her husband is battling a disease that lowers his immunity. A few grieve the loss of family members; husbands, parents, pets. What I find inspiring is that they can do anything to fill this time. They CHOOSE to give back, they CHOOSE to rise above life’s challenges. In doing so, they find comfort in the purpose of feeding those less fortunate.

Other conversations revolve around wanting to give back. One volunteer adores his brood of grandchildren. When asked why he serves, he responded, “I’m blessed to have a big family who is thriving and healthy, but I know not everyone is that fortunate. I want to do what I can.” We hear similar stories from our financial donors. Many give because they once battled poverty or suffered from food insecurity as a kid and want to help others facing similar struggles.

If we let it, the world can overwhelm us with negativity. It is up to us to make magic, to build a meaningful life. I am blessed to be surrounded daily by those who seek to do just that. If you are looking to find purpose in a cross you must bear or pay forward the blessings in your life, I encourage you to volunteer with Cultivate. You’ll be amazed how lifting up your neighbor in turn helps you lift yourself.

The Perfect Place to Grow in Elkhart County

Have you heard? We’ve leased the old Bullard Farm Market off CR 17 and are gearing up to open this new facility in October. This space will allow us to host up to 200 volunteers weekly and expand our backpack meal distribution from 460 to 2,000 children in Elkhart County. This growth is crucial as we still have kids on our waiting list.

A huge thanks to our local supporters, including the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, Crossroads United Way (CRUW), Kem Krest, the AEP Foundation, and various individuals and families. Julie Poertner from CRUW highlights the impact: “Cultivate’s meals are a lifeline for many ALICE families who must choose between paying bills and buying food. The new Elkhart County space is a great blessing.” Stay tuned for fall volunteer opportunities and join us for a transformative experience in Elkhart!

July was an extraordinary month of milestones! Thanks to the launch of our new cold-storage facility, we rescued an astounding 444,546 pounds of food in just 30 days. To put this into perspective: in our third year of operation, we rescued 450,423 pounds over an entire year. In other words, we accomplished in one month what previously took us a whole year to achieve!