Jim and I rode to Central Market this morning at 7:30 for a few items under cloudy skies, temperature was 80F/26.66C. The cafe was open but the store proper was not (I forgot that the store opens at 8) so I bought a cup of Texas Pecan coffee to enjoy while we waited outside.
We noticed a man and woman loading loaves of bread into the back of a Subaru. We walked over to chat.
John and Helen gather Central Market’s day old bread and other bakery items every Sunday morning to deliver to area food pantries, churches, and homeless shelters. Helen said there is a group of “anonymous” volunteers that do this 7 days a week, and that “every [grocery] store does it, especially Trader Joe’s”, who gives away fruit, vegetables, and cut flowers in addition to their bread and bakery items. Austin restaurants also participate in this food donation program including Panera.
I researched just a bit and discovered “H.E.B., one of the largest grocery stores in Texas, donate all their day old bread and bakery items and best before products.”
Central Market also inspired me for today’s Urban Icons 10 minute sketch:
Yay for John and Helen - and for Mary and Jim!
I remember when a sandwich chain over here started a distribution programme for their leftover sandwiches at the end of every day for people who needed them, and it felt so new and so different at the time (twenty + years ago, when I was still living in London, and would often visit the branch of the sandwich chain closest to my office). It's brilliant that so many big stores are on board with this kind of socially responsible act, rather than chucking it all away like they used to - and even better that there are people out there like John and Helen who make the effort to collect the goods and transport them to food banks and community centres. Great work!
Feed the hungry -- the Lord tell us to love mercy, do kindness, give help to the needy.
Thanks for your message of generosity and kindness at work.
Love you and Jim more, MUM