Fiorenza's Food for Friends

Fiorenza's Food for Friends (F4) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating hunger by connecting sources of food with recipients in need. The organization operates through a strategic and innovative food recovery process, aiming to create awareness about hunger and reduce food waste.

Mission and Goals

The mission of Fiorenza's Food for Friends is to eradicate hunger by leveraging partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits. F4 acts as a broker, facilitating the logistics of food donations at no cost to organizations feeding the hungry. It seeks to end hunger through education, engagement, and eradication of food insecurity.

Operations

F4 partners with diverse businesses, including markets, food distributors, restaurants, caterers, schools, and more. These partnerships enable the organization to conduct food drives and coordinate food recovery missions, redistributing excess but healthy food to shelters and communities in need. The organization has operated in 36 states and Canada, significantly impacting food distribution networks.

History and Founding

The organization was founded by Derek Fiorenza, who is a financial advisor and philanthropist. It began as a grassroots movement and grew into a nonprofit in 2011, following Fiorenza's volunteer work at an event where he received donated meals from a caterer. This initial success led to the establishment of F4, which has since grown exponentially through partnerships and community involvement.

Impact

F4 has made considerable progress in food redistribution, serving millions of people. As of recent reports, they have connected over 10 million pounds of food to those in need, benefiting up to 7 to 8 million individuals.

Volunteer Opportunities

Fiorenza's Food for Friends welcomes volunteers to contribute to their mission. Opportunities include organizing food drives, providing and serving meals, transportation, and outreach efforts to connect with new donors and recipients. Volunteering is open to individuals across the United States.

Leadership

The organization's board includes Ted Zobian, Jason Litman, Brenda Russell, and Derek Fiorenza among its members. This diverse leadership team reflects the organization's commitment to collaborative efforts in fighting hunger.