Extra Helpings Westside (EHW), is our volunteer-run food recovery and distribution program. Through a cadre of some 120 dedicated volunteer drivers, we are able to retrieve prepared and perishable food from markets, delicatessens, bakeries, and farmers’ markets–food that would otherwise be thrown away–and deliver it directly to our agencies.
Nearly a third of our total food distribution comes from EHW donations.
You can help EHW by donating or volunteering.
"Extra Helpings" DonorsExtra Helpings Westside is actively seeking donations of prepared and perishable food from business owners, delis, restaurants, caterers and other food suppliers. We can also arrange to pick up food left over from events such as parties, weddings, etc. All food pickups must be arranged in advance with the EHW coordinator, Allison Griffith . - On October 1, 1996, President Clinton signed legislation mandating all states to protect food donors from criminal and civil liability. The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (Public Law 104-210) seeks to encourage companies who have excess food to donate it to charitable feeding programs throughout the country. To view a PDF of this law, click on this link: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=104_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ210.104.pdf
- Why the Emerson Act is important
Each year, 14 billion pounds of food are sent to landfills. Meanwhile, nearly 30 million Americans, including 12 million children, are at risk of hunger. Potential donors most often cite fear of liability as the reason they refuse to donate to feeding programs. Before passage of the national law, all 50 states and the District of Columbia had adopted laws protecting donors. Yet, differences in language and applicability between states often discouraged national and regional companies from donating.
With the national law in place, regional and national donors have the uniform language that protects them from civil and criminal liability.
Volunteers- 1.5 hours
- one day every week
- use own car
- various Westside locations
Extra Helpings Westside needs more volunteer drivers to pick up prepared and perishable food from local food vendors, caterers, and other donors, and deliver that food directly to our member agencies. Our Program Coordinator will call you on your assigned day to let you know which vendors have food that day, and which agencies are available to receive the food. Usually you will visit several vendors in one area (such as Main Street, San Vicente, or Montana Blvds.) and deliver to one or two local agencies. Most vendors and agencies are located within a 5 mile radius. Contact our EHW program coordinator, Allison Griffith, as described above if you’d like to explore this avenue of service.
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