No Waste ~ No Hunger

The inspiration for this passion came from the work I've done creating the Pleasantville Community Garden with my son Devin, starting when he was 11 years old.  Devin had heard that 20% of Westchester County, NY residents do not have enough food and decided to do something about it.  Tall order for an 11-year-old kid, but he was driven and I was motivated to help him achieve this.  Over the course of 2 years, we gained support, raised money, gathered experts and in June 2014, built the Pleasantville Community Garden with 100 members of the community.  Since then we've created a volunteer organization to help run the program, expanded the mission to now include gathering at our local farmers market and running fresh food drives.  In 2014, we donated 1,500 pounds of fresh food to one local organization and since have grown so that in 2 1/2 years, we have donated nearly 30,000 pounds of fresh food to 4 regional food distribution organizations.  

 

This work is the starting point.  The more I've learned about these issues, the more motivated I am to work to find solutions. I'm working to develop key partnerships with those companies and organizations who share the passion and concern I've developed.  I am helping to bring my knowledge and experience to new groups, projects and forums to help educate others and increase the understanding about food waste and hunger.  The huge disparity between food waste in large quantities and the increasing issue of food insecurity and lack of nutrition is a solveable issue.  There is no reason for this to continue and through my efforts and the projects that I am working on, my goal is to raise awareness and understanding and promote the often simple ways everyone can make a difference and work towards eliminating food waste and food insecurity at the same time. 

 

Education is the most effective way to get this done.  I don't believe that we are arrogant and WANT to waste and WANT to let others go hungry - but our lack of knowledge and passive stance on these issues accomplishes the same - a problem that continues unabated.  It's time to understand, spread the word and make a change for the better!

 

 

Leadership

 

Founder & Board Member - Pleasantville Community Garden - 2015 to Present

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Development Consultant to the Board - Hillside Food Outreach - 2016 to Present

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Founding Member - Films on Purpose - 2016 to Present

 

Affiliations

 

Member - Association of Development Officers - 2016 to Present

 

Member - American Community Gardening Association - 2016 to Present