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Local food rescue group helps feed the hungry

Bernard Ford loves coming to food rescue Waste Not Want Not to load up his truck with food to take to Catholic Charities in Jacksonville.

The group saves food in the community to give to the hungry.

“We rescue food from stores, restaurants, farmers, neighbors, citrus trees, anywhere where food may go to waste,” said Sandra Staudt-Killea, executive director of Waste Not Want Not.

Staudt-Killea said they serve ten counties and have about 250 volunteers.

She said the work they do is needed.

Last year, they provided about 4,200 meals a day to those in need.

“One hundred-forty one times a week, one of our volunteers is at a store or bakery or restaurant to pick up the food that’s being donated,” said Staudt-Killea.

Ford said he’s seen firsthand how the nonprofit impacts those locally who rely on this perfectly good food.

“Sometimes when I’m loading, homeless people come up and say ‘hey can I get a loaf of bread,’ and I usually hand them one,” said Ford.

Last year, they rescued almost 2 million pounds of food.