Resources for our Nonprofit Partners
Headed into the busy holiday season, we’re sharing resources in our arsenal to help support you in your continued great work connecting people to nutritious food. Check them out!
GrantStation
GrantStation is an online resource that helps identify funding opportunities that nonprofits can apply to and helps you write more compelling grants through their tutorials and resources. The platform requires a paid membership but, hopefully, it could pay for itself and then some if it means access to additional funding!
The Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program
The Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program is one many Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ partners are likely eligible for! Click here for details. Deadline October 31, 2021.
Grocery Store Gift Cards
Many grocery stores are willing to donate gift cards in place of cash or food, directly to nonprofit organizations in their communities, which can be helpful for nonprofits serving people who are food insecure. Gift cards can help guests who are looking for specific holiday items like turkeys, or they can act as a supplement to grocery budgets any time of the year. Each company has a different application process and limits the number of requested donations per year. In some cases, it may be helpful to reach out directly to the grocery store closest to your organization.
P.S. Here at Spoonfuls, we’re noticing fewer and fewer frozen turkeys being donated for Thanksgiving. This trend is primarily due to the logistics and storage headaches it produces. Unfortunately, for Spoonfuls’ nonprofit partners, that means it’s unlikely they’ll receive turkeys from us before the holiday, but we hope to rescue some afterward. We will be sure to claim any and all if they become available.
Date Labeling Guidance
Recently, we hosted our annual Lovin’ Spoonfuls Partner Summit. One major takeaway was how to continue conversations with clients and staff about distributing close or past-date foods. Dignity, safety, and open communication seem to be the best guides to navigate conversations with clients/recipients of Lovin’ Spoonfuls food. To help with those conversations, check out the Spoonfuls Date Label Guidance sheet from which we base our food rescue standards. Please feel free to ask your regular Food Rescue Coordinator or anyone else on our team if you have any questions.
