EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator grant recipient 412 Food Rescue partners with food retailers, nonprofit organizations and volunteers ( affectionately called food rescue heroes) to bring healthy food directly to those experiencing food insecurity. Since receiving funding through the American Heart Association, the organization has been able to expand its footprint beyond Pennsylvania to our region. The American Heart Association facilitated an introduction between ACT’s Prince William Food Rescue, a local 412 Food Rescue partner, and organizational partner, the Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinic, in Manassas, Virginia.
ACT’s Prince William Food Rescue is the first program of its kind in the region. By harnessing the power of volunteers and new technology (a unique mobile application), they are linking food that would be wasted directly with organizations that can quickly get it to those in need. All partners are committed to helping break the link between poverty and poor health by bringing healthy options to the table for families in need. ACT’s Prince William Food Rescue aims to address the disconnection in distribution, supply and access by rescuing food about to go to waste and directly distributing to organizations that serve communities in need. The goal is to move healthy foods from sanitation to sustainment.
Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinic provides primary medical to qualified, uninsured residents of Manassas City, Manassas Park, and Prince William County, Virginia free of charge. Through this new partnership, facilitated by the American Heart Association Greater Washington Region, the clinic will be able to provide additional food to over 800 patients and their families in need.
“ACT’s Prince William Food Rescue’s commitment to reduce food insecurity is remarkable as is the commitment of Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinic to improving health in their community. We’re really proud of the work being done in Prince William County and look forward to what’s in store for the future,” said Erica McIntyre, American Heart Association Community Impact Director.
Contributed by: Anu Vasireddy