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Too often grocery stores and restaurants find themselves throwing out food, when there is great need in nearby communities. MEANS Database modernizes food recovery in 48 states and the District of Columbia by connecting excess food to organizations and individuals who need it. Hunger lingers in the lives of the people it affects. In infants and toddlers, food insecurity is associated with failure to thrive, a devastating condition with consequences into adulthood (1). In early childhood, hunger is associated with diminished academic progress, more behavioral problems and unhealthy weight (2). By high school, it's linked with dropping out, and by early adulthood, with having children who also face hunger, the cycle starts over again (3). Food insecurity exists in every American demographic and geography, affecting every population tracked by the US Census. However, as it seems for every other social ill, the most rural, the most urban, and minorities in any location bear a disproportionate burden of the weight of hunger. While 12.7% of American families are food insecure, the rate for Black and Latino families are each about 20% (4). Jefferson County, Mississippi, is a study in these disparities: it has the highest percentage of black residents of any American county, and also holds the dubious distinction of having the highest rate of food insecurity in the United States, with nearly 38% of residents facing hunger (5). Meanwhile, while more than 42 million Americans rely on food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency food providers to feed their families, the United States grapples with an massive food waste problem. Forty percent of the American food supply ends up in landfills, with perfectly edible meals being thrown away at all stages of production (7). Food is the single largest contributor to landfill and incinerator mass in the United States, choking the nation's air while 1 in 8 Americans face food insecurity (8). Further complicating this feast and famine dynamic is the uncomfortable truth that even programs meant to address hunger frequently end up wasting food. The issue we are tackling with MEANS is huge: we're trying to prevent food waste and adequately address the problem of hunger. The USDA reports that 48.1 million Americans live in food-insecure households, while Feeding America says that 70 billion pounds of food are wasted in the US each year (8). This task may seem daunting, but we know that through the use of innovative technology like ours, we can help to change the future of food recovery. MEANS (Matching Excess And Need for Stability) is an online communications platform for emergency food providers and their donors. On a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone, agencies create an account with MEANS, registering their contact information, location, the kind(s) of foods they are searching for, and the distance they are willing or able to travel to pick up those goods. Donors post their excess goods on MEANS, and the system emails and/or texts organizations nearby that need those goods. Our tool substantially reduces the communications gap between emergency food providers and their donors, preventing "donation dumping" on both sides. MEANS was designed to handle both traditional food donations, from grocery stores or caterers, and donations between emergency food providers. There is no charge for any of our organization's services, for nonprofit agencies or retailers. Citations: 1) Kersten, Hans B. and Bennett, David (2012) "A Multidisciplinary Team Experience with Food Insecurity & Failure to Thrive," Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 6. 2) Jyoti, Diana F.; Frongillo, Edward A.; and Jones, Sonya J. (2005) "Food Insecurity Affects School Children's Academic Performance, Weight Gain, and Social Skills" The Journal of Nutrition vol. 135 no. 12 2831-2839. 3)"Changing the Picture of Education in America: Communities in Schools Spring 2014 Impact Report" (2014) 4) USDA (2015). "Food Security Status of U.S. Households in 2015" 5) Feeding America (2016). "Map the Meal Gap 2016" 7) Gunders, Dana (2012). "Wasted: How America Is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill" 8) Feeding America (ND), "Food Waste In America"

Blue Water Baltimore's mission is to restore the quality of Baltimore's rivers, streamsand Harbor to foster a healthy environment, a strong economy, and thrivingcommunities.

To reverse tropical rainforest deforestation for planetary health.

The Coalition for Clean Air is committed to restoring clean, healthy air to all of California and strengthening the environmental movement by promoting broad-based community involvement, advocating responsible public policy and providing technical expertise.

Founded in 1915, the Near East Foundation's mission is to help build more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through education, governance, and economic development initiatives. NEF is an operational NGO with projects in seven countries-Armenia, Sudan, Senegal, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Palestinian Territories and Egypt-where we work to directly improve the lives of tens of thousands of vulnerable people through programs in peacebuilding, civic engagement, education, sustainable agriculture, and business development. In the field, approximately 50 NEF staff members-all of them from the countries in which they work-partner with local organizations to find homegrown solutions to the development problems of communities throughout the region.

White Oak Conservation Center, Inc helps conserve some of the earth's rarest wild animals through innovative training, research, education, community outreach and field programs that contribute to the survival of wildlife in nature.

The mission of the American Littoral Society is to promote the study and conservation of marine life and habitat, protect the coast from harm, and empower others to do the same.

NORTHWEST'S LEADING SOURCE OF HIGH QUALITY, UNBIASED POLLUTION PREVENTION (P2) INFORMATION. PPRC WORKS COLLABORATIVELY TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION THROUGH POLLUTION PREVENTION. PPRC BELIEVES THAT ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC VITALITY GO HAND IN HAND.

To bring sustainable projects to the people of Nepal. Help with Disaster Recovery in the USA and abroad.

The mission of the World Justice Project is to promote home-grown rule of law culture by: increasing understanding of the rule of law and its foundational importance; stimulating government reform, direct or indirect; and inspiring and fostering practical, locally-led programs that enhance and extend the rule of law.

Inspiring and catalyzing action towards a plastic-free future by combining adventure, education, and youth empowerment.

Adirondack Wildlife is a rehabilitation and education organization whose mission is to take in, rehabilitate, and return to the wild when possible. Our mission statement is made possible with the aid of local veterinarians and volunteers. In addition, we run educational programs and presentations, primarily working with non-releasable native species. We promote compassion, tolerance and understanding of wildlife, particularly with conservation, ecological principles, and sustainable management. Adirondack Wildlife, Inc. is a 501 C3 non-profit open to the public maintaining a mile-long, guided, interpretive trail and conducting interactive presentations. We have no Federal, State or Local Funding, and are completely funded by donations.