Photo courtesy of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon’s office.
Local food bank Food Finders was named the 2016 Nonprofit of the Year for the 63rd Assembly District by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, who honored the organization on Wednesday.
“We as a society throw away far too much food when there are so many struggling with food security,” Rendon, who represents Long Beach, said in a release. “Food Finders fills a critical role by helping to feed the needy and impoverished, while reducing both food waste and our environmental footprint. It’s a win-win for all.”
The Lakewood-based multi-regional food bank and food rescue program relies heavily on volunteers who pick up donated food from hundreds of local grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants and produce markets, the release stated. They distribute it directly to missions, shelters and social service agencies to feed the impoverished and needy.
Food Finders can provide enough food for 12,931 meals a day, on average, reducing the amount of food insecurity and food waste “prevalent throughout Southern California,” the release stated.