Olive Garden Waco has partnered with The Salvation Army to donate unused food each week.
The Olive Garden harvest is food that is prepared each week and goes unused is then bagged, chilled and frozen for the Salvation Army pick up every Tuesday.
Through the program, Olive Garden’s 850+ locations donate surplus, wholesome food to local nonprofits on a weekly basis.
The program started in 2003 and came to Waco in 2005. Since then Olive Garden Waco has donated 55,600 pounds of food to local non-profits.
"Research shows Americans throw away about 150 tons of food every day," said Sonya Kirkpatrick, General Manager of Olive Garden. "So for us to be able to contribute to that and for us to be able to contribute to that and to give back to the community is a really beautiful thing."
Bruce Huff, who has been working with the Salvation Army for 5 years, picks up the food from Olive Garden each week.
"I think the proof is in the pudding," Huff said. "When I get back to the shelter, everyone crowds around the van and gets their little snack or goodie or whatever that Olive Garden offers and just because of that it just makes you warm and fuzzy all over."
If you would like to volunteer at the Salvation Army visit their website.
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