FAQS

A food rescue program picks up excess prepared and perishable food from food establishments and professional kitchens and redistributes it to others who can use it. In 2023, Table to Table began its 24th year rescuing food in our community.

Rescued food is taken to a variety of not-for-profit agencies feeding hungry people in Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, and Morris counties.

Food is transported to food pantries, daycare centers, soup kitchens, substance abuse and rehabilitation programs, churches, and agencies helping to support the hungry.

Table to Table redistributes only fresh, wholesome foods, which it delivers on the day it is received. Food banks typically collect, warehouse and distribute canned and non-perishable foods. Unlike some food banks, Table to Table never charges a fee to the recipient agencies for the food it delivers.

Overbuying, incorrect anticipation of consumer choices, manufacturing and distribution issues and weather conditions can create food overages.

Limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate food.

Unfortunately, 1 in 6 Americans does not have enough food to eat and requires emergency food assistance. And, 1 in 5 children is born into food insecure households.

Women in food insecure households frequently are at the greatest risk, depriving themselves of nutritionally adequate foods to make those foods available to their children and husbands.

Both the federal government and the state of New Jersey enacted laws to protect food donors. The Federal Children’s Nutrition Assistance Act and the New Jersey Good Samaritan Act provide immunity from liability to those donating food.

Because Table to Table delivers to hundreds of partner agencies, it serves tens of thousands of people weekly. Additionally, smaller agencies with few resources have an equal opportunity to share in the fresh food that Table to Table delivers.

Ninety-eight percent of every dollar we raise goes directly into our program. Table to Table has been awarded the prestigious 4-star rating by Charity Navigator for 14 consecutive years. Currently, we are ranked one of the most efficient not-for-profits in the entire state of New Jersey. We have also earned the Guidestar Exchange Platinum Level designation. Click the logos below to learn more.

Download the app Table to Table I-Rescue and sign up to become a food rescue hero. You must email volunteer@tabletotable.org to sign a volunteer agreement before beginning any volunteer work.

A food rescue is the pick-up and delivery of food donations from a food donor (supermarkets, restaurants, caterers, etc.) to a non-profit agency (food pantries, soup kitchen, group homes, etc.)

All you need is our Table to Table I-Rescue app, a driver’s license, an insured vehicle, and a drive to make a change in your community!

All rescues are posted on our Table to Table I-Rescue app. You can find them on the “Available Rescues” tab, a map will be shown with one-time and weekly rescues. When you are ready to volunteer, please identify the one you’re interested in claiming. Then click on “View Rescue” to see details, and then “Claim This Rescue”.

All your claimed rescues will be moved to the “My Rescues” tab, you can find this tab on the left hand-corner of the app. Once you are ready to begin the rescue you will click on “start”, then you will find all the necessary information to complete the rescue including address, points of contacts, estimated amounts, time, etc. The app will walk you through the whole process of your food rescue journey. But if you have any questions or face any issues you can call 551-255-6884. Please be aware that you can always go back to the “My Rescues” page to “Resume” your rescue if you leave the app for any reason.

• Weekly rescues occur on the same day, time, and frequency (i.e. every Monday at 10:00AM), and on the same route (donor and non-profit partner.) If you claim a weekly rescue as a volunteer, you can always request a sub if something comes up and you aren’t able to make it.
• One-time rescues or pop-up rescues occur on an as needed basis. These are not at pre-determined days and times. When you claim a one-time rescue, you’re only committing your time for that one rescue only. You can always check the app for more rescues.

All rescues are posted on our Table to Table I-Rescue app. You can find them on the “Available Rescues” tab, a map will be shown with one-time and weekly rescues. When you are ready to volunteer, please identify the one you’re interested in claiming. Then click on “View Rescue” to see details, and then “Claim This Rescue.”

You are free to volunteer as often or as little as you would like. If you don’t want to commit to a set schedule, you can claim a one-time or pop-up rescue. If you would like a set schedule, then weekly rescues are the right fit for you. You can also request a sub if you can’t complete a rescue.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome to volunteer in our food rescue program. However, the driver must have a valid driver’s license, and a valid vehicle registration and insurance.

Yes, upon downloading the app and signing up, you must email volunteer@tabletotable.org

You will receive the following:

• Volunteer handbook.
• Volunteer agreement that must be signed before beginning any volunteer work.
• Link to access a training course, the course takes 25 minutes and it’s free of charge.
• Food safety resources.

No, a large vehicle is not required to complete a food rescue. Any car sizes are adequate to complete a food rescue. Before claiming a rescue, you can see the amount of food that is being donated to help ensure your vehicle has the capacity to transport the donation.

Absolutely! We encourage everyone to share our Table to Table I-Rescue app with their friends and family. There is a tab on the left-hand corner of the app called “Invite Friends”, you can share the app by message, email and even on social media.

You can contact Andrea Ibarra at 551-255-6884. This same contact information is also displayed in the app.

Yes, Table to Table is happy to sign off any required community service hours completed. A verification letter can also be made available upon request.