Introducing

By Barbara Bronstein, Founder & President (pro bono)

​

--Houston Philanthropy Circle Symposium--

April 20, 2023

​

​

What Is Second Servings?

--Houston’s only prepared and perishable food rescue organization--�

Mission: To alleviate hunger and reduce waste in Houston by rescuing perfectly edible surplus food, and delivering it directly to local nonprofits

What Is Food Rescue?

Why Is Food Rescue Necessary?

Nearly 20% of Houstonians face food insecurity…

YET

About 35% of the food supply goes to waste!

Why Is Food Rescue Necessary?

Throwing away food is like stealing from the table

of the poor and hungry.”

Pope Francis 6/2013

​

8-Year History:

• 2015 – Began operations�
• 2016 -- Added 1^st refrigerated van & driver�
• 2018 -- Exceeded 1 million pounds in a year�
• 2020 – Created “Dinner’s On Us” mass meal relief program when Covid struck�
• 2022 – Launched “PopUp Grocery Store” initiative

​

Volume Trend

In March 2023, we hit 10 MILLION pounds since we began!

Food Partnerships

Food donors:

• Retailers
• Manufacturers
• Distributors
• Urban Farms
• Sports venues
• Convention centers
• Banquet venues
• Business cafeterias
• Caterers

Nonprofit recipients:

• Homeless shelters
• Soup kitchens
• Affordable housing
• Food pantries
• Lodging
• Community centers
• Churches
• Schools

Food Rescue Programs

Daily “regular” operations:

“Same Day Pickup and Delivery” Model:

5 refrigerated vans

9 part-time paid drivers

• Scheduled routes
• Additional routing, as needed
• Volunteers in vans’ “second seats”

PopUp Grocery Store Program

Unique program to help mitigate the impact of 8-13% grocery price inflation �

• Benefits low-income families, seniors, disabled, and veterans at affordable housing, community centers, and churches
• 40 each month on a recurring basis (about 2/day)
• EACH site receives $10,500 worth of groceries, on average
• “Shoppers” choose free groceries worth $70-$160, on average �

Result: A dignified shopping experience, providing

convenient access to healthy food at no cost

​

Successes to Date

• Delivered 10 million pounds worth $70 million in first 8 years ��
• Created the popular “PopUp Grocery Store” program��
• Built networks of 400+ food businesses and 140 nonprofits��
• Nourished 200,000+ struggling Houstonians last year, and growing��
• Operated efficiently, delivering $40 worth of food for every $1 spent��
• Created 13 new jobs�

Short Term Goals

• Increase annual food volume by 15% to 2.6 million lbs. (worth over $20 million)�
• Expand food donor network by 15%�
• Expand and enhance “PopUp Grocery Store” program�
• Reach 250,000 struggling Houstonians annually through expanded nonprofit network�
• Maintain efficiency�
• Increase awareness and support

​

Short Term Strategies

• Expand operations to 6 days with new Saturday route�
• Add “dollar-type” and non-traditional food outlets to donor network�
• Reactivate country clubs, event venues, caterers, etc. that were dormant during pandemic�
• Resume event rescues from food shows, cookoff’s, etc. halted during pandemic�
• Use “PopUp Grocery Store” program to build engagement and support�

Long Term Goals

• Deepen and widen food donor penetration within the greater Houston area�
• Expand services efficiently to adjacent counties and cities with high need (“hub and spoke” design)

Funding and Engagement Opportunities

Funding Needs:

• Operating expenses (99% of budget)

Capacity building (transportation and staffing)

• Healthcare benefits for 3 full-time staff
• Salary for future CEO�

Engagement:

• Networking
• Advisory Board

​

Thank You!

Barbara Bronstein bbronstein@secondservingshouston.org

(713) 824-6605

www.secondservingshouston.org