At 7:00 a.m., the Community Food Share warehouse is already buzzing. Drivers are loading trucks, prepping for a full day of food rescue. One of those drivers is Jason, a vital link in the journey from grocery store to dinner table.
Every weekday, Jason and his fellow drivers head out to more than 40 grocery stores across Boulder and Broomfield Counties. They recover fresh, nutritious food that can no longer be sold but is still perfectly safe to eat. On any given day, that means rescuing thousands of pounds of produce, meat, dairy, and shelf-stable goods that would otherwise go to waste.
Jason starts his day by lending a hand wherever needed. Mopping floors, prepping routes, and helping the warehouse crew get ready. Then, he hits the road, stopping at stores like Target, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s and Sam’s Club. At each location, he builds trust with staff, shares a few laughs, and loads up donations with care.
“You grow such a rapport with the people on your route. They know us, we know them,” Jason says. “That makes this job even more meaningful.”
Some donations are as simple as a bag of apples. Others include more unexpected items, like dressers or hammocks that staff like Rod at Target set aside because they know someone could use them. “Rod’s got a big heart for the food bank,” Jason adds.
Once back at the warehouse, the donations are weighed and sorted. Some go to the our Feeding Families Onsite Pantry or Mobile Pantries, while others are routed directly to partner agencies across the region. It’s a system built on speed, efficiency, and compassion. Often, the food Jason picks up in the morning is on a neighbor’s table by nightfall.
For Jason, the job is personal.
“Honestly, it’s just helping others. It’s a feeling, every day, knowing this food is going to make a difference.”
And that difference is huge. Rescued food accounts for nearly 80% of the food Community Food Share distributes. In FY24, more than 6.6 million pounds of food were recovered through grocery store pickups, that’s enough for 6.6 million meals.
This work doesn’t just fight hunger, it protects health and the planet. By keeping food out of landfills, the program prevents more than 13,800 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. That’s the equivalent of removing over 3,000 cars from the road!
“Food is food, and everyone deserves it,” Jason says. “Doesn’t matter if it’s for a kid or an older person, everyone deserves food.”
Jason’s favorite part of the job? The people. The store teams, the warehouse crew, the neighbors who benefit. “I love doing this job,” he says with a smile. “It’s great to donate. There’s so much food waste out there… and it helps.”
Help Keep Retail to the Rescue on the Road
Jason and his fellow drivers move 12 tons of food every single day. Your support keeps them going and keeps food out of landfills and on kitchen tables.
By making a donation, you help keep Jason on the road and our Retail Rescue program running strong. Donate today and help support Retail to the Rescue!
