JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Millions of Americans face hunger every day, even as billions of pounds of food are thrown away each year. In Northeast Florida, one local organization is working to close that gap by rescuing food before it reaches landfills and putting it directly into the hands of people who need it most.
March’s Positively JAX winner, Waste Not Want Not, is proving that a simple idea can create a powerful impact across an entire community.
Inside their operation, the work is constant. Volunteers move quickly to sort, organize, and prepare thousands of pounds of food for distribution. Fresh produce, bread, and prepared meals arrive daily from local stores and restaurants. Instead of going to waste, these items are redirected to food pantries, shelters, and community programs across 14 counties.
More than 300 volunteers support the mission, driven by a shared belief that no food should be wasted while people are going hungry. For many, the work is personal. Volunteers say it is hard to watch usable food be thrown away when it could help feed someone else.
The impact goes far beyond filling plates. Rescued food supports sober living homes, shelters, and families working to get back on their feet. In some cases, access to consistent meals can help individuals stay on track in recovery and avoid falling back into harmful patterns.
The need continues to grow. Right now, one in five people in Northeast Florida faces chronic hunger, increasing demand for services like those provided by Waste Not Want Not.
To meet that demand, the organization is expanding. What began in 1990 as a 500-square-foot shed has grown steadily over the years. After moving into a larger space, affectionately called “the Castle,” the team is now preparing for its next chapter with an even bigger facility. The expansion will include additional space and commercial-grade refrigeration, allowing them to store more nutrient-dense foods like meat, dairy, and fresh produce.
That focus on quality is intentional. The organization is committed to providing not just food, but nutritious, high-quality meals to those in need. It challenges the misconception that people facing food insecurity should only receive leftovers or scraps.
Even during the transition to a temporary location, the mission has not slowed. Leadership says the urgency is only increasing as food insecurity rises across the region.
For Executive Director Kathleen Spears, the work is deeply personal. Having grown up in a food-insecure household, she understands the importance of this mission firsthand. Today, she leads an organization that delivers immediate, tangible impact every single day.
Waste Not Want Not continues to ensure that food ends up where it belongs, on tables and in homes rather than in landfills.
As the organization grows, so does its need for community support. Right now, they are asking for simple but essential items like paper bags and gas cards to help fuel transportation efforts. Volunteers are always needed to keep operations running smoothly.
Their work is a reminder that solving big problems often starts with small, intentional actions. By rescuing food and redistributing it with care, Waste Not Want Not is fighting hunger, reducing waste, and strengthening communities across Northeast Florida.