North Texas Food Rescue Program: New App Builds Community and Fights Hunger
Scot MacRae, the director of the food rescue program at Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, has been on a mission to ensure that no person goes hungry. His journey began with a simple act of kindness, giving away boxes of leftovers from restaurant meals to those in need. What started as a small gesture soon snowballed into a full-fledged food rescue program, known as Giving You Food To Share, that feeds hundreds of people every week.
Evolution of the Program
In 2019, MacRae and his friends took their efforts a step further by making 100 peanut butter and banana sandwiches to distribute, along with bottled water. This act of generosity became their routine, earning them the nickname “peanut butter and banana guys.” As the demand for their services grew, MacRae realized the need for a more efficient way to connect surplus food with those who needed it most.
The EETZ Rescue App
During the pandemic, MacRae’s friend, David Stenson, developed the EETZ Rescue app, a free mobile platform designed to streamline the distribution of rescued food. The app connects grocery stores with surplus food directly to groups like MacRae’s, eliminating the risk of food waste and ensuring that no person goes hungry. Through the app, MacRae and his team have been able to triple the amount of food they rescue, totaling 1 million pounds this year alone.
Building Community Through Food
On a typical Thursday, MacRae and his team of dedicated volunteers can be found preparing food boxes in the Cathedral of Hope’s community room. Against the backdrop of stained-glass windows and church organ music, the volunteers organize boxes filled with fresh produce and flowers for distribution to those in need. The atmosphere is not just about food; it’s about building a sense of community and belonging.
One such volunteer, Jeff Reader, shares his experience of finding purpose and fulfillment through volunteering, especially when working alongside fellow volunteers Carmelita Vasquez and Maria Nuño. The sisters, who initially sought food assistance for their family, found themselves drawn to volunteering as a way to give back and support others in need. Nuño’s knack for estimating the number of food boxes they can prepare and her dedication to ensuring no food goes to waste make her an invaluable member of the team.
The camaraderie among the volunteers is palpable, with banter and laughter filling the room as they work together to make a difference in their community. For Nuño, the work is personal, driven by a desire to help those facing food insecurity in a time of great need. The sense of family and belonging shared by all the volunteers underscores the importance of their work and the impact it has on the lives of those they serve.
As the North Texas Food Rescue Program continues to grow and expand its reach, Scot MacRae and his team remain committed to their mission of fighting hunger and building a stronger, more connected community. Through acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion, they are making a difference, one box of food at a time.
