The Twelve Days of Second Helpings Atlanta

It all began with a simple question: “I wonder what happens to all the leftover food from restaurants?”

Fast forward 20 years, and Second Helpings Atlanta is the leading expert on rescuing surplus food, rescuing healthy, nutritious surplus food and distributing it to those in need to the tune of 24+ million pounds since our inception.

Our volunteers, coming from an array of backgrounds, all have found a home at Second Helpings, united by our shared commitment to rescue and distribute food so there is no hunger, and no waste. We had a chance to sit down with a few of them earlier this year and hear their stories. Here they are. 

Did you know that rescuing food not only fights hunger but also champions the environment? By redirecting surplus food from landfills, we’re making sure that methane, a potent greenhouse gas that’s 80 times the warming potential than carbon dioxide, stays out of our atmosphere. In 2023, Second Helpings has already avoided 3,175 metric tons of CO2, equivalent to powering 400+ homes for a year!

SHA operates in 10 counties surrounding the metro Atlanta area: Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Hall. Just this year, we’ve onboarded 18 new non-profit organizations with feeding programs as SHA Partner Agencies, expanding our service area.

SHA works with over 100+ Food Donors and Partner Agencies to run Food Rescue Routes across the Metro Area. Routes take 90 minutes or less, take place in your neighborhood, and make a huge impact on food security in Atlanta. Sign up and see the impact for yourself today!

We are so grateful for incredible partnerships with generous food donors like Trader Joe’s. Since 2009, SHA volunteers have rescued over 5.6 million pounds of delicious, fresh food and flowers from Trader Joe’s stores in Buckhead, East Cobb, Midtown, Sandy Springs, and Roswell. 

Guenther Hecht started Second Helpings as a grassroots effort in Hilton Head. When he returned to Atlanta, he carried the idea of replicating the food rescue program to his home synagogue, Temple Sinai. In time, and with the help of committed congregants, the small social action project blossomed into a city-wide effort and became Second Helpings Atlanta, the preeminent food rescue program in our City. Thank you, Guenther, for sharing your kind spirit with the world. We will carry on your work in your honor and your memory.

Seven days a week, Second Helpings Atlanta volunteers and drivers transport food donations to nearly 100 partner agencies across the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. These social service agencies include traditional food pantries, soup kitchens, and school & senior support programs. While no two agencies look exactly alike, every organization in our network shares the commitment to reducing food insecurity in our communities by providing high-quality food support to our neighbors.

We couldn’t carry out our mission without the foundational support of our financial donors, especially those who contribute each month. Read what Dan Sterling, a monthly donor to Second Helpings Atlanta, said when asked, “What would you say to others who are considering making a monthly donation?” here.

Did you know that each hour a volunteer devotes to support our mission is valued at $29.95? It’s not just time; it’s a priceless contribution that lights up our mission with joy and purpose. Last year, our volunteers dedicated 13,000+ hours to SHA valued at $412,770!

Thriving food rescue organizations positively influence their communities by addressing food waste, reducing hunger, supporting local businesses, promoting environmental sustainability, engaging volunteers, educating the public, enhancing health, and building social capital.

Second Helpings plays a pivotal role in our community by rescuing surplus food and fostering sustainability, we not only address immediate needs but also contribute to a stronger, socially connected community.

A contribution this month will empower Second Helpings Atlanta to: extend our outreach, enabling us to rescue even more surplus food, increase the number of meals distributed to individuals and families facing food insecurity, and grow our Food Rescue Network, enabling us to deliver more food to more feeding programs.

Consider making a gift to Second Helpings here. A $25 donation equips SHA to rescue and deliver over 132 pounds of food, enough for more than 110 healthy meals.