Score! Second Helpings Atlanta Rescues More Than 17,000 Pounds of Food From Super Bowl LIII Events

Prior to and after Super Bowl LIII, Second Helpings Atlanta, in partnership with the NFL’s Sustainability Team, rescued 17,044 pounds of food from corporate events leading up to and including Super Bowl LIII, enough to provide 14,203 healthy, nutritious meals to those in need in Atlanta.

Within a ten-day period, 31 Second Helpings Atlanta volunteers, staff and Board members rescued food from 10 events and made 30 deliveries to 21 Partner Agencies near the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, site of this year’s Super Bowl.

“We picked up food from the State Farm Arena, Bold Catering and Design, STATS, Cobb Galleria Centre, The Foundry at Puritan Mill, Proof of the Pudding and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium,” says Joe Labriola, Executive Director. “After the big game, a group of 10 volunteers, staff and Board members rescued 7,392 additional pounds of prepared food and produce from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, enough food to provide 6,160 meals for nearby agencies to supplement their community meal programs.”

For Second Helpings Atlanta, the non-profit food rescue organization that was founded in 2004, the pick-up at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium represented the single largest and most complex food rescue ever.

“Thanks to outstanding advance planning, the entire recovery process was executed flawlessly,” according to Labriola. “Also, we were fortunate to have the use of a loaned refrigerated van that was generously provided by our friends at Mercedes-Benz USA over the past couple of weeks.  We would not have been able to handle this surge in additional food without it.

“2019 is off to a great start, thanks to our partnership with the NFL’s Sustainability Team; SHA was one of just three organizations appointed to rescue food from events leading up to and during Super Bowl LIII. I’m so proud to be part of this team and to work with such talented and compassionate professionals. We continue to drive out hunger, one mile at a time,” smiles Labriola.

To learn more about becoming a Food Donor or Partner Agency, to donate or join Second Helpings Atlanta’s community of volunteer drivers, visit secondhelpingsatlanta.org.