No Child Goes Hungry is pleased to donate to Bagel Rescue, a non-profit hunger relief program in metro Atlanta that redefines bagels as a bridge to inspire imagination, inclusion, and family traditions.
According to Erin Stieglitz, Bagel Rescue Founder, the organization’s mission is to reduce food waste and support hunger relief, one bagel at a time.
“We are accomplishing our mission through hyper-local relationships between businesses, volunteers, and neighbors in need,” said Stieglitz. “By partnering with 32 bagel shops, our volunteers ‘rescue’ and deliver 12,000 to 16,000 bagels to over 100 feeding programs across nine counties weekly. Our partner agencies include family shelters, food pantries, extended-stay hotels, youth programs, street outreach, medical residences, and more.”
Stieglitz says that approximately one-third of Bagel Rescue’s meals are served to needy children.
“Pushing into marginalized neighborhoods allows us to break barriers to food justice and make the biggest impact,” Stieglitz said. “Food is a most basic need and a human right. We can support physical, mental, and emotional health by serving children where they live, leading to greater learning and more positive social outcomes.”
Bagel Rescue will use the grant from No Child Goes Hungry to purchase a new freezer to help expand its operations.
“Part of my growth strategy is having regional hubs that will allow us to store bagels to distribute more efficiently,” said Stieglitz. “Food rescue and distribution are unpredictable as availability and needs fluctuate. Being able to safely store food to use it when and where it is most needed makes our program even more valuable.”
“Bagel Rescue proves that everyone can make a difference in the battle against childhood hunger, one child, one meal — or bagel — at a time,” said No Child Goes Hungry Founder and Director Kären Rasmussen. “I am grateful that Erin reached out to me and that we are now united in our efforts to support kids in need. Let’s feed some kids!”