The Mitzvah Circle Food Project began many years ago with a simple idea and not a single volunteer. Our founder was standing in a local supermarket at the bakery counter when the bakery manager took 4 grocery carts, overflowing with baked goods out to the dumpster. She innocently asked the manager why the food was being thrown away and not donated to a local food pantry. The manager politely told her that it was much easier throw the food away. Without any idea what she would possibly do with all of this food, she immediately asked him if he would consider donating these baked goods. In an instant, with little consideration, he told her that was not possible.

She recalls emphatically telling the manager that there are many people who live within 10 minutes of our very own homes and his store, who do not have the opportunity to eat the beautiful breads, cakes and cookies that he was tossing into the trash. She asked him to think about it — just to consider the difference that his cupcakes could make in the life of a child. She asked him to think about the idea of donating the delicious day old goods and that she would be back next week and we would talk again.

She returned the next week — and the next week — and some weeks later, much to her surprise, a food program was born. Since that moment, in the year 2000, baked goods have been collected at a variety of grocery stores.

We are blessed to have many volunteers who deliver day old baked goods. Because of our volunteers, we are able to run this program four days a week all year long to a variety of locations. A few hours of your time each month or each week can change the world for someone who is hungry. If you can join this volunteer effort, and help make a difference, please contact us.