The Great Plains Food Bank is grateful to receive a generous grant from the Xcel Energy Foundation to bolster its retail rescue program, a critical initiative that diverts surplus food from landfills and delivers it to neighbors facing food insecurity across North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota.
The Xcel Energy Foundation, the charitable arm of Xcel Energy, strategically invests in programs that strengthen communities through its Energizing the Future grant program, focusing on STEM Career Pathways, Environmental Sustainability, and Community Vitality. This partnership directly supports the Foundation’s commitment to environmental sustainability by reducing food waste and addressing hunger simultaneously.
In 2024 alone, the Great Plains Food Bank’s agency-enabled retail rescue effort recovered 3,585,474 pounds of food, equivalent to nearly 3 million meals, by partnering with local grocery stores, convenience stores, and big-box retailers. This initiative connects partner food pantries with local stores to rescue mislabeled, perishable, surplus, or distressed food products, ensuring that nutritious food reaches the tables of those in need within days.
“This program is one of the most effective ways we can reduce food waste while simultaneously working to end hunger,” said Kate Molbert, chief operating officer of the Great Plains Food Bank. “Thanks to the support from the Xcel Energy Foundation, we’re able to strengthen this critical initiative, making a greater impact in the lives of our neighbors and our environment.”
The Xcel Energy Foundation’s support will enhance the capacity of the retail rescue effort, enabling the Great Plains Food Bank to expand its reach and efficiency in recovering and distributing surplus food. This collaboration exemplifies a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being.
“This partnership reflects a powerful alignment of values including protecting our environment, serving our communities, and ensuring everyone has access to the food they need to thrive,” shared Marcia Paulson, chief development officer at the Great Plains Food Bank.
