If only my mom knew about the "Donated not Wasted" campaign. You see, my mother always told me to never waste food and finish everything on my plate.
I would hear about kids starving in other countries. I always felt really guilty about pretending to eat my string beans and spitting them into a napkin after that. But not now. Just donate!
According to NBC2, the "Donated not Wasted" campaign is from the good people over at Lee County Solid Waste. They wanted to rescue good food from being trashed and instead get it onto the plates of the people who need it the most.
It's an awesome idea really. When snowbirds and vacationers head home, they sometimes throw away a lot of food. Instead, they're encouraged to donate their unopened food items. So far, the "Donated not Wasted" campaign has saved a whopping 31,100 pounds of food from going to waste!
Donated not Wasted:
Our food-saving superheroes can't do it alone. The Lee County Solid Waste is teaming up with a bunch of organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Waste Pro, and the Lee County Library System to make sure this food gets where it's needed. They call it "resource redistribution," which basically means making sure a lot of good food goes to the right places.
To get in on the action, you can drop off your unopened dry or canned food at specific spots between March 18 and April 1. There are a slew of drop-off points all over Lee County, including libraries and recreation centers. And if you need more info, just dial 239-533-8000.
The 7th Annual "Donated not Wasted" campaign isn't just about being nice. It's about doing what's right for our community. By donating, you're not only helping others, but you're also reducing waste and not throwing away perfectly fine string beans hidden inside your napkin.
