Your Impact, Today
Thanks to your support!
Since February 1st, over 116,000 meals have been produced and distributed to those in need.
Because of your support, thousands of families are being fed during these painful days. And that’s something you can be proud of. Read on for today’s dose of great news!
South Bend Parks Feeds South Bend Community School Students
Nearly 40,000 meals were distributed to the families of students attending South Bend Community Schools through their WiFi Locations as of the end of May. These meals were made possible by funding from the United Way of St. Joseph County through their COVID-19 relief fund, food donations from the USDA, and purchased food from Stanz Food Service. The meals were packaged by our wonderful volunteers, employees of the South Bend Venues, Parks and Arts Department for their very own community members in the City of South Bend.
South Bend Community Schools WiFi Locations
- Beacon Heights Apartments
- Charles Black Community Center
- Countryside Village
- Harber Homes Apartments
- LaSalle Intermediate Academy
- Madison STEAM Academy
- Marquette Montessori Academy
- Monroe Circle Community Center
- Monroe Primary Center
- Prairie Apartments
- Pulaski Park
- Rum Village Park
- St. Adalbert Catholic Church
- Tarkington Elementary
- Washington Dunbar Homes
Food Rescue During a Pandemic
When businesses first closed and many events were canceled, there was an abundance of food to be rescued. Cultivate made use of every last bit, freezing tens of thousands of meals for future use. As shutdowns continued, we have still received rescued food, 680 cases of food from the USDA, and we have also purchased food to continue producing enough meals.
Thanks to Our Food Donors
- Milford Food Bank
- Canteen
- Culver Duck
- University of Notre Dame – CCE
- Marian High School
- Stanz Foodservice, Inc.
- Food Bank of Northern Indiana
- Chartwells/South Bend Schools
- Society of St. Andrews
- Life Treatment Center
Shout Out to South Bend Venues, Parks and Arts Department
As we return to our regular volunteer scheduling in June, we want to say a huge thank you to the volunteers who saw us through the weeks of shelter in place. During that time, we had to limit the number of people in our facility at one time and didn’t want multiple groups coming in and out for safety reasons. This group faithfully worked hard to package tens of thousands of meals over the course of many weeks. We couldn’t have done it without them!
Donate Now to Provide Food for Kids Over the Summer
With your support, we can continue to provide meals to those who need them each week, even through the summer.
You can carry a family through these uncertain times by making a gift of $140 or a monthly commitment of $35/month for the months of May through August. All gifts are tax-deductible and will go towards feeding the hungry in our community. Please consider giving today by donating securely online here or mailing your check made out to Cultivate to 1403 Prairie Ave., South Bend, IN 46613.
What’s Cooking at Cultivate
Want to know what our fantastic chefs put together using rescued food? If you’re hungry, continue at your own risk – your stomach will be growling by the end of the list.
Here’s what our chefs cooked up just last week in Cultivate’s kitchens:
- Pork Loin, rice pilaf, mixed vegetable
- Salmon with pesto, rosemary roasted red potatoes, broccoli
- Roasted Turkey, mashed potatoes, corn
- Ham, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, with double peach chia
Only the best goes into our meals! Thanks to our food donors, financial supporters, and great staff and volunteers for making these delicious meals possible for those who need them.
Proud to Serve Those Who Proudly Served
Cultivate is honored to serve veterans through the VA. From what we hear, our meals are a big hit over there! Here’s what two had to say about the meals they received.
“The meals are really good, and they’ve been a big help for me during this pandemic. I like to eat them for breakfast because they’re the perfect amount.”
– Navy Veteran 2000-2006
“I’m not sure what I’d be doing for food if I wasn’t getting these meals. I don’t have transportation, and with my diabetes and leg issues I can’t get to the bus, so it’s been a real lifesaver. And, they’re actually good! You don’t find that many, good frozen meals. And you really get a good-sized portion too.”
– Air Force Veteran 1979-1986
Save the Date for The Second Annual Cultivate Golf Classic
Mark your calendar for some fun on the golf course for a good cause. All proceeds from the event will benefit Cultivate’s food rescue and weekend backpack meals program.
The event will be held at the Swan Lake Golf resort on Wednesday, September 23rd. Registration and driving range opens at 10:30am, and shotgun start is at 12 noon Eastern.
More information soon to come on our website, or email toddz@cultivatefoodrescue.com for registration.
Hope to see you there!