News

Bagels for the hungry

by Morgan Smith morgan@thecharlotteweekly.com

It only takes a little work to make a difference - thats the philosophy of Ballantyne resident Jill Goodrich, volunteer coordinator for the local grassroots organization whos mission is to help feed the hungry. Known as Food Recovery Group, the volunteer-based initiative is one of easy standards: donate unused bagels and bread to those in need. And thanks to area businesses like Einstein Bros Bagels and Panera Bread, theyre providing leftover goodies to organizations all across the city. There are bagels being thrown in the trash all over the city and there are people that are hungry all over the city, Goodrich said. This is something that people can do on their time because it is so simple. The initiative started as a branch of a nation-wide mission known as Food Rescue. When Mike Cookman discovered volunteers picking up leftover bagels from a local Panera Bread five years ago, he wanted to help, eventually becoming the leader of the

Charlotte-based initiative that would later be known as Food Recovery Group. The national network eventually faded and split into more localized initiatives, like the Charlotte-based network. I was looking for ways to give back and I found this loosely knit network of volunteers that was national, he said. It was just a group of volunteers trying to do good. I eventually took over the Charlotte-based group and have just been doing it ever since. Volunteers pick up leftover bagels and other baked goods from area stores, where they eventually deliver the goods to Charlotte shelters or other organizations in need. But with his partnership with three local stores including the Panera at Ballantyne Village and a bagel shop in Blakeney, the addition of three Einstein Bros Bagels stores was too much to coordinate for one person. Thats why he contacted Goodrich to get the ball rolling. Goodrich has been coordinating pick-ups and drop-offs with

volunteers, Einstein Bros Bagels and local shelters since last June. Phil Rice, owner of the Ballantyne, Myers Park and Dilworth bagel shop locations, offers Goodrich leftover bagels seven days a week, a bigger undertaking than Cookman, who has a five-day a week pick-up schedule, is used to. When we came to Einstein Bros Bagels, they were tossing all of it, Cookman said. Phil Rice said we could have them all seven days a week. That was a lot to take on and thats why I reached out to Jill. Goodrich, who works part-time while also taking care of her four kids, says shes coordinating pickups and deliveries because its the right thing to do. So far, she has around 15 volunteers who pick up from the three Einstein Bros Bagels locations and delivers to seven organizations across the city Center of Hope, Brookstone School, Friendship Trays, the Doves Nest, Communities In Schools at South Mecklenburg High School, Harrison United Methodist Church and the Elizabeth Caldwell House though she would like to see more bagels delivered to more organizations in need. But without volunteers to help make the runs, she says the group cant grow much

bigger. I want it to be biggerbut I dont even have enough volunteers to cover a week. I would love to have a much larger volunteer pool, Goodrich said. Goodrich encourages volunteers to make the initiative a family affair. She frequently takes her four kids, who attend Park Road Montessori School in south Charlotte, along for pick-ups and deliveries. My kids love it, she said. They are real sports about it this is our way to give back to the community. Along with volunteers, Goodrich also is looking for organizations that could benefit from the extra food. Right now, she said the group has the capacity to deliver bagels to 21 locations. Around 12 to 13 spots are still open. To get involved or to find out more, contact Goodrich by email at jill@goodrichs.net. Volunteers are needed for a variety of shifts and commit to volunteering at their own convenience. I know there is food all across the city being thrown out, Goodrich said. People ask why I do this, but its because we are making a difference, even if the difference is small.

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