A collaborative food rescue program in San Diego County has reached a major milestone, saving over 1 million pounds of food from landfills while providing job training and employment for formerly homeless individuals. - The program, run by the Lucky Duck Foundation, Feeding San Diego, and the Salvation Army, rescues surplus food from grocery stores and businesses.
- Formerly homeless individuals are hired and trained as food rescue drivers, with many moving on to full-time employment and permanent housing. - The Lucky Duck Foundation has invested $500,000 in the program, with an additional $250,000 to expand it.
- The rescued food, valued at $1.9 million, is distributed to food pantries to help community members in need. The program is part of a broader effort by the Lucky Duck Foundation, which has supported 25 job-training programs in San Diego with over $3 million in grants over the past six years, benefiting more than 2,500 people.