Our Story
Bridging the gap between excess and need…
Founded in Texas, Keep US Fed started as a class project of Leadership Montgomery County Class of 2015, who were charged with effecting positive change for those individuals and families with food insecurities within our community. The initial impact in the community was so significant, it was decided to continue Keep US Fed’s efforts, as a stand alone organization. Passionate volunteers formalized Keep US Fed Montgomery County by filing for our 501(c)(3) on October 11, 2017.
What started out as one food run per week, distributing 2,000 pounds of food per month, has increased to more than 100 food runs per week, distributing more than 4,000 pounds of food every day!
In March 2023, we surpassed the equivalent of 5 million meals* recovered from local grocers, restaurants and caterers, totaling the equivalent of more than 3,000 tons of food. This unprecedented milestone has been accomplished through the tireless and selfless efforts of more than 85 active volunteers, administrative staff, Montgomery County Food Bank, 20 donors and 35 partner recipient organizations.
*A meal is defined as 1.2 lbs by Feeding America
“Keep US Fed is a family that helps feed our hungry neighbors, by recovering excess nutritional food that might otherwise be thrown away”
David Blocker
1 in 6 residents of Montgomery County, Texas are food insecure, yet 40% of food goes to waste
Keep US Fed’s mission is to help feed our hungry neighbors by recovering excess nutritional food that might otherwise be thrown away. We rescue surplus food from our generous food donors, such as distributors, retailers, hotels, and grocery stores. Once we rescue the surplus food, we deliver the high-quality, fresh food to over 35 Montgomery County shelters, community food pantries, and other nonprofits that are assisting those in need. This perfectly edible food helps nourish at-risk individuals who, unlike many of us, do not have a meal to eat every day. Delivering the food at no cost allows our partners to save a significant amount in their food budget, enabling them to feed more people every day.
Rescuing food feeds people in need AND reduces food waste
Food is the largest component in the landfill at 21%, and emits extremely potent methane gas, said to be 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Globally, food waste accounts for 8-10% of all methane emissions. In addition, throwing away food wastes all the precious resources that went into getting the food from the farm to your plate, such as the water, fuel, labor, and materials. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that Americans waste 30-40% of the available food at the consumer and retail levels, costing our economy $218 billion each year. Keep US Fed rescues fresh food that would otherwise be thrown into a landfill and delivers it to those in need, preventing both hunger and food waste.