Volunteer
Volunteering for a “shift” is easy and fun to do. Typically “shifts” only take less than an hour and you get to meet some of the most generous and grateful people.
Don’t have a car or want to help in a different way? E-mail us and we will apply your skills in other ways to help feed those in need in our community.
Our Funders
We have been able to continue our work thanks in part to grants from these foundations. We could not help feed those in need without support from the community!
Athens Food Rescue volunteers gathered Sunday (4/26) to celebrate the distribution of over 46,000 pounds of food to area food pantries and kitchens.
It was the annual volunteer appreciation event held as a thank you for the time and effort put into getting donated food to hungry people locally.
AFR executive director Teresa Curtiss says the 46,332 pounds in 2025 is the equivalent of 38,600 meals. She also reported that since its founding in 2015, AFR has distributed approximately 390,000 pounds of food.
Curtiss added that saving food from being thrown out has another benefit – it does not have to be dumped in a landfill, saving space there and fuel consumption.
“I’m really proud of the work our volunteers and our board members do,” said Curtiss. They’re a great group of people I get to work with.”
Curtiss will be stepping down as director on June 1 and returning as a member of the board of directors. The process of hiring a successor is underway.
AFR has 20 volunteers who pick up perishable and non-perishable food most every day of the week from 20 donors. The food is transported to 16 partner agencies, including United Campus Ministry, the First United Methodist Church Monday Lunch and the Bishopville Food Pantry.
AFR is a not-for-profit group which also advocates and educates to reduce food waste. Funding comes from the generosity of corporate sponsors and area residents.
In the last year, according to Curtiss, AFR received $6500 in grants and $17,000 in individual donations.
More information about AFR is available on the group’s Facebook page and at https://www.athensfoodrescue.com. Anyone wishing to support the organization by volunteering or a monetary donation can do so there.
Why participate in food rescue?
Help the Community
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1 in 6 American households are food insecure
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Contributing to Athens Food Rescue helps feed hungry people in Athens with food that would otherwise go to waste
Improve Your Bottom Line
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Reduce waste hauling fees
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Cut costs by developing new waste reduction strategies
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You may be eligible for an enhanced tax deduction
Bolster Sustainability
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Food recovery helps reduce food waste, America’s largest waste stream
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Organic waste emits methane, which is 21 times more harmful than carbon dioxide*
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Source reduction and donating food to feed people are the best ways to reduce food waste
Liability Protection
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The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act protects all good faith food donors from liability
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Thousands of businesses, universities, and even the federal government donate surplus food regularly
Learn more about food waste management with these resources:
If you would like to donate to Athens Food Rescue, you can send us a check to:
Athens Food Rescue, P.O. Box 1143, Athens, Ohio 45701
You can also donate to Athens Food Rescue by giving directly to The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio in our name. Gifts to the Athens Food Rescue Fund are tax deductible and can be made in many ways, including cash, bequests, and life insurance. You can find more about how to do this here.