by Tori Keafer | Jul 14, 2022 | Columns, General
We rescue food six days a week from grocery stores, restaurants, farms, and caterers. But why does the food need rescuing? Food waste is a huge issue in our country. According to the USDA, 30%-40% of our total food supply goes to waste.1 And we’re not just talking...
by Tori Keafer | Jul 11, 2022 | General, Stories
A fried rice dinner prepared and boxed by Patchwork Nashville chefs. Photo by Nathan Phelps “We think of food not only as nourishment, but a way to show love and a way for people to feel dignity,” said Ben, one of the founders of Patchwork Nashville. The mission of...
by Tori Keafer | Jul 6, 2022 | General, Stories
“When I have an opportunity, I tell people, ‘Don’t give up on people. Plant seeds.’” This is the story of one of our First Responders. Six days a week, this First Responder is out driving our refrigerated trucks and rescuing quality food from grocery stores that would...
by Tori Keafer | Jul 4, 2022 | General, Stories
“Thank y’all so much. You have been keeping my grandbabies fed for these past two years, and I don’t know what I would do without you.” If vivacity had a face, it might look a little like Beverly’s. You may find your mind working overtime just to keep up with Beverly...
by Tori Keafer | Jun 14, 2022 | General, Stories
“I love how you guys are doing this. It will help a lot of people, especially with prices being so high now. I was lucky to find a cheap pack of hamburger the other day. It’s just getting horrible.” Terry brightened up our day with her sweet smile at our mobile food...
by Tori Keafer | May 31, 2022 | General, Stories
When we met George, he was sitting in his car and reading a packet of papers that looked like a matrix or some sort of numerical cipher. Turns out, it was sheet music for the harmonica he held in his lap. “I was a professional player for 40 years,” he said. “And then,...
by Tori Keafer | May 24, 2022 | General, News
Maria Lee welcomes and instructs volunteers at a OneGenAway mobile food pantry in Jonesborough, Tennessee. OneGenAway recently took a trip to the city of Jonesborough with Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee to bless foster families in the area with boxes of food. May was...
by Tori Keafer | May 17, 2022 | General, Stories
“It just never ceases to amaze me the kindness and generosity people have shown our town.” Becky knows most everyone in Waverly. As she volunteered at our mobile food pantry, she was cutting up all day with the volunteers and those receiving food. “They’re laughing at...
by Tori Keafer | May 16, 2022 | General, Stories
Before the flood in Waverly, Carmen had two freezers and two refrigerators full of food. Now, she comes to our mobile food pantry in clothes she received from a disaster relief center. “Everybody lost everything,” she said. “I lost everything I’ve ever had.” When the...
by Tori Keafer | May 12, 2022 | General, Stories
“You think this area is moderately affluent,” Tim said, looking around at the hundreds of families coming to our mobile pantry to receive food. “And here’s the thing, you could judge. You could say, ‘Look at all the nice cars. These people don’t really need food.’ But...
