Summary
Organization name
We Don't Waste
other names
We Don't Waste
2009
Category
Food, Agriculture & Nutrition
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
6090 E 39th AveDenver, CO 80207
Denver County, CO, US
About
Free Tools
Your gift protects our planet from food waste and provides nutritious food to Coloradans experiencing food insecurity.
1 in 7 Coloradans experienced food insecurity this year, and yet 40% of all food produced in the U.S. ends up in our landfills.
We Don't Waste reduces hunger and food waste by recovering quality, unused food from the food industry and delivering it free-of-charge to hunger-relief agencies and directly to communities in food deserts through free Mobile Food Markets. Since our inception in 2009, we have recovered and distributed over 250 million servings of food and nourished countless lives while reducing food headed to our landfills.
In 2024:
- We recovered 22+ million servings of food
- Supported 117 local nonprofits and their food programs with no-cost food distribution
- Provided food to over 80,000 families at Mobile Food Markets
What your gift will accomplish:
- Help us feed more of our neighbors directly through no-cost Mobile Food Markets.
- Help us provide more food to over 100 nonprofit partners with no-cost food programs across Denver, Boulder, Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Broomfield counties.
- Every $1 donated results in an estimated 4 meals of recovered food in the community.
- Support the growth of our Education Program, providing students with nutrition education and food waste reduction skills
- Prevents food rot in our local landfills and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions. Food waste is a HUGE pollutant, and reducing it is a powerful way to reduce climate impact.
Testimonials
"We Don't Waste has helped to supplement our provision of daily meals and food pantry services in order to allow us to continue to serve the poor, the homeless, the marginalized and the forgotten in our community." - Mission Arvada of The Rising Church
"Honestly, without We Don't Waste's support we would not be able to have a food pantry. We would go back to primarily serving as a snack-stop for students to get things like ramen or crackers." - Community College of Denver
"We Don't Waste has saved our pantry! Before We Don't Waste we had very little and limited items to offer our families. We are very happy and lucky for an organization like We Don't Waste! The staff is absolutely amazing, friendly and flexible to work with! Thank you, We Don't Waste!" - Wyatt Academy
"Our food pantry guests ask most for fresh produce, dairy and meat. We Don't Waste provides all three in high quality with great customer service at no cost. We could not ask for more. God bless We Don't Waste!" - New Apostolic Church
"Our students and family members always tell us how grateful they are for the quality fruit, veggies and protein. Students always tell us how excited they are to find their favorite foods and they don't have to pay for them!!" - Denver South High School Food Pantry
Trusted By Your Neighbors
Mission
We increase food access and protect the planet by rescuing and repurposing food, while educating and advocating to increase food security and decrease food waste.
Background Statement
We Don't Waste was founded in September 2009 after assessing needs in the community of agencies serving populations typically unserved and underserved, such as: people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence victims and their children, veterans, and drug and alcohol recovery program participants. In May of 2011 We Don't Waste began operating under its own IRS Letter of Determination as a 501(c)(3).
We Don’t Waste has been recognized by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce as Small Nonprofit of the Year (2015) followed by Large Nonprofit of the Year (2019). In 2024, the organization was named a Partner in Philanthropy by the Denver Business Journal for its commitment to communities across the Denver Metro.
To date, We Don't Waste has recovered and distributed more than 250 million servings of food, and serves approximately 750,000 Coloradans each year with operations based out of the Food Recovery Hub in Northeast Park Hill.
To learn more about We Don’t Waste visit wedontwaste.org or follow @wedontwaste Instagram and @wedontwastedenver on Facebook.
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Organization Data
Denver, CO 80207