We’ve seen a sharp rise in requests for shelf-stable food assistance through our
Compassion donation programs. Many of our partner organizations urgently need
staples like canned goods, rice, pasta, and peanut butter — the essentials that keep
families fed and secure.
Because most large-scale donations of these foods go directly to Feeding America and
its affiliates, Compassion Coalition currently receives no food donations or
ongoing government funding. For this reason, our focus has traditionally been on
distributing personal hygiene items, household goods, clothing, and furniture. Most of
the donated food we provide consists of fresh produce, which we distribute as part of
our ongoing fight against hunger.
Through our Bargain Grocery stores, we’re working hard to stretch every EBT dollar
and make affordable food available to those who need it most. However, since we don’t
receive government food aid or subsidies, we must purchase most shelf-stable foods
ourselves—a growing financial challenge.
Despite these constraints, our mission remains clear: no one in our community
should go hungry.
To continue this vital work, we are seeking partnerships with grocery chains, food
producers, distributors, and manufacturers who can share a portion of their donated
or surplus products with us. Even modest contributions can make a major
impact—helping families put food on the table and hope in their hearts.
We’ve seen a sharp rise in requests for shelf-stable food assistance through our
Compassion donation programs. Many of our partner organizations urgently need
staples like canned goods, rice, pasta, and peanut butter — the essentials that keep
families fed and secure.
Because most large-scale donations of these foods go directly to Feeding America and
its affiliated networks, we currently receive no food donations or ongoing government
funding. Because of these limitations, our focus at Compassion Coalition has
traditionally been on distributing personal hygiene items, household goods, clothing and
furniture, while the bulk of our food donations through Compassion Coalition consist
of fresh produce.
Through our Bargain Grocery stores, we’re working hard to stretch every EBT dollar and
make affordable food available to those in need. However, since we don’t receive
government food aid or subsidies, we must purchase most shelf-stable items
ourselves—a growing financial challenge.
Despite these constraints, we remain committed to ensuring that no one in our
community goes hungry.
To continue this vital work, we are seeking partnerships with grocery chains, food
producers, distributors, and manufacturers who can share a portion of their donated or
surplus products with us. Even modest contributions can make a major impact—helping
families put food on the table and hope in their hearts.
Together, we can make sure no one is left hungry. The recent debates surrounding
government-run grocery stores and SNAP cuts often lead to extreme views and name-
calling that detracts from the real issues at hand. Whether in favor of or against such
initiatives, we risk losing sight of the larger, more urgent challenges facing our food
systems. Instead of focusing on ideological extremes, we should focus on the profound
problems of food deserts and food inequity, which affect millions of Americans.
Food deserts—areas where access to affordable and nutritious food is limited—are a growing
crisis, from urban areas to rural and low-income urban communities. Many people are forced to
rely on convenience stores or fast food outlets for their sustenance, leading to poor health
outcomes and an increase in diet-related diseases like diabetes and obesity.
But perhaps the most glaring contradiction in our food system is the astonishing amount of food
we waste. Up to 40% of the food we produce in this country is thrown away, while millions of
people suffer from hunger and malnutrition. In the U.S., food insecurity affects nearly 1 in 10
people, including many who live in households that are employed but still cannot afford healthy
food.
What’s more alarming is the sheer amount of money being spent to tackle these issues. Billions
of dollars are funneled into food aid programs, food banks, and various interventions, yet the root
causes—waste, distribution inefficiencies, and poor access to quality food—remain largely
unaddressed.
The discussion should not be about whether government-run grocery stores are the solution or
not. Instead, it should center on how we can drastically reduce food waste, improve food
distribution systems, and ensure that every person, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has
access to the food they need. Whether through government-run initiatives, private partnerships,
or community-driven solutions, we have the capacity to do much better than we are now.
The focus needs to be on collaboration and innovation, with the goal of creating a food system
that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. This is a problem we can solve—and we
should demand better.
1. Why This Matters: Exposing Inequities in Our Food System
Too many families in America live in food deserts—geographic areas, often low-income, where
access to affordable, nutritious food is limited. Residents in these communities are frequently
surrounded by fast food and corner stores that offer highly processed, unhealthy options—while
fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and whole grains are out of reach.
- 1 in 7 New Yorkers struggles with poverty and food insecurity.
- The result? Hunger, malnutrition, and preventable health issues—including obesity,
diabetes, heart disease, and reduced life expectancy.
Food insecurity isn’t just about hunger. It’s about systemic neglect, and it affects the health,
dignity, and future of millions.
2. Food Banks: Meant for Emergencies, Not a Sustainable Fix
While food banks play an important role, they were never intended to be long-term solutions.
A Cornell study found only 14% of food banks are consistently sustainable.
- Limited capacity to provide fresh, nutritious foods
- Often reliant on inconsistent donations and emergency responses
- Not a strategic solution for daily food access in food deserts
3. A National Waste Crisis
We throw away 40% of the food we produce in the U.S.
- That’s 120 billion pounds of food per year
- Equivalent to 325 pounds per person
- An estimated $220 billion in waste annually
Meanwhile, families go hungry. This isn’t just inefficient—it’s a moral crisis.
4. Top Causes of Food Waste
The causes of waste are preventable—and fixable:
- Cosmetic Imperfections: Misshapen fruits and vegetables, slightly damaged packaging,
mislabeled goods—often discarded despite being perfectly edible. - Expiration Confusion: Up to 70% of food waste results from misunderstanding or
mismanaging expiration dates. - Overstock & Transport Damage: Pallet damage or packaging errors lead retailers to
discard entire shipments.
5. We’re Spending Billions—and Seeing Minimal Impact
Many well-intentioned organizations are doing great work, but without a cohesive strategy,
resources are spread thin:
- Billions spent—but hunger persists
- Countless efforts—but no unified plan
- Meetings with government and nonprofit leaders reveal a shared desire for sustainable,
community-based grocery solutions
6. The Solution: Government-Supported Community Grocery Stores
We propose a collaborative strategy session to design a model that works—rooted in public-
private partnership, community leadership, and sustainability.
Let’s bring together:
- Philanthropic organizations
- Local and state government leaders
- Food producers and grocery sponsors
- Nonprofits committed to ending hunger
A Collaborative Model Already Making a Difference
Through Compassion Coalition and Bargain Grocery, we’ve already begun implementing
this model in communities like Utica and Troy, NY—providing nutritious food at the lowest
prices possible while reinvesting proceeds into additional goods and services for those in need.
This isn’t a dream—it’s already working. Now we want to take it further.
Our Core Values
1. Loving Our Neighbors
We serve all people with compassion, prioritizing those most in need.
2. Rebuilding Devastated Communities
We restore lives affected by crisis, disaster, and hardship—bringing hope.
3. Uniting Across Divides
We believe that shared purpose and collaboration create stronger communities.
4. Generosity That Changes Lives
We give selflessly, knowing that generosity transforms both the giver and the receiver.
5. Dignity and Respect for All
Every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.
Together, We Can:
- Recover and redistribute viable food—fighting waste and hunger at the same time
- Serve food deserts with healthy, affordable grocery options
- Reinvest proceeds into essential goods—clothing, hygiene items, furniture, and more
- Build a replicable model of equity and sustainability in food access
This is more than a food issue. It’s a community issue. A justice issue. A solvable
issue.
We invite you to join the movement. Together, we can turn waste into wellness, food deserts into
thriving communities, and hunger into hope.
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