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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"

The mission of the Sierra Gorda is to guide and coordinate the activities of its member organizations responsible for the conservation, restoration and sustainable development of the Sierra Gorda region and the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda, the founding member organization of the Alliance, guides the work of the Alliance's partner organizations in: a) educating for a sustainable future; b) organizing community action and cross-sector cooperation; c) adopting holistic land management; d) promoting management of solid waste and recyclables; e) raising awareness and civic participation; f) bundling and communicating best practices; and g) generating a significant social return on investment.

NEADS initiates the development and expansion of a communications network for students with disabilities and those persons professionally involved in support programs for disabled students at colleges and universities across Canada; Have the capability to make timely and meaningful responses to the issues and concerns affecting the educational resources and environment of students with disabilities; Facilitate the collection and dissemination of information on post-secondary education and the disabled student; Encourage the formation of associations of students with disabilities on the campuses so that consumers can advocate for themselves. NEADS is governed by a 12 member Board of Directors. This Board is cross-disability and represents the geographical regions of the country. In order to maintain consumer control disabled students members have exclusive voting privileges.

Protecting over 2.0 million acres of wilderness in the Amboseli-Tsavo-Kilimanjaro ecosystem of East Africa, Big Life partners with local communities to protect nature for the benefit of all. Since its inception, Big Life has expanded to employ hundreds of local Maasai rangers—with more than 30 permanent outposts and tent-based field units, 14 patrol vehicles, 2 tracker dogs, and 2 planes for aerial surveillance. Co-founded in September 2010 by photographer Nick Brandt, conservationist Richard Bonham, and entrepreneur Tom Hill, Big Life was the first organization in East Africa to establish coordinated cross-border anti-poaching operations.

Puppets-on-the-Go is a crate rental program with age appropriate activities tied to art, social studies, language arts and even math curriculum. The process is made easy as educators are supplied with clear instructions, materials and samples for their student’s creative process. The art-based activities initiate cooperation and discussion for the many learning styles in their classrooms. And the end result is a performance to be proud of. “My students responded really positively and were motivated to create their own show.” The production “Pigs in a Canoe and other Watery Stories” features stories about water, from the mysteries of the deep-sea tube-worms to the transportation of pigs on the Red River in 1817. Fun and thought provoking for all ages, touring communities all year long. WP Puppet Theatre also facilitates Puppet Power, the biennial international conference that brings together artists, educators and therapists to look at the power of puppetry beyond performance.

FESA focuses on learners with the lowest levels of literacy and education. We partner with over 35 social agencies and organizations that host our programs and invite clients to our free educational sessions. We are able to target vulnerable learners facing challenges that include poverty, family violence, low-literacy, single-parenting, lack of English skills, lack of support systems, unemployment, learning disabilities, and addictions. We specialize in building confidence and overcoming barriers that prevent people from moving forward with their education. Our programs: -are adapted to reflect cross-cultural approaches and are culturally sensitive, -build parents’ literacy and learning, -help parents gain strategies to build their children’s reading and writing skills, -prepare children for school.

The Kids Safety Village of Durham Region is a kid-sized version of a real town located on the grounds of the Sir William Stephenson Public School in Whitby. Set on 1.2 acres, the village features small buildings, detailed roadways, traffic lights and road signs, an operational railway crossing, battery cars, bicycles and a classroom. Here, children learn about road safety as a pedestrian and a cyclist in a controlled, supervised environment. Since 1995, the realistic setting has allowed thousands of children in Durham to test their safety skills in a fun, learning environment. The Kids' Safety Village is truly a community project dedicated to building a safer future for children. The village was constructed with donations of cash, services and materials from local businesses, citizens and service clubs.

Cardus is a think tank focusing on critical, long-term social needs. We are part of the North American "ideas business": making and marketing ideas, shaping public policy much like teachers shape their students. Cardus' research reflects on, and works to integrate into many spheres, the broad wisdom of the biblical narrative of brokenness and restoration--emphasizing respect for human diversity, the sacredness of life, the purpose of history, and the responsible use of resources. Non-partisan and widely connected, Cardus is uniquely suited to lead communities through meaningful conversations on the ideas that define us. By forming valuable and practical policy packages, and communicating them ingenuously and persistently, Cardus is changing the landscape of public discussion.

The Children’s Safety Village of Brant is a place where children currently enrolled in elementary school can learn the fundamentals of safety and awareness. Programs such as fire prevention, smoke alarms, traffic safety, bicycle and helmet, internet safety, home alone safety and stranger awareness are taught. The Safety Village serves Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations. In the Fire Prevention training program, after the in-class training, children are encouraged to identify various fire hazards found in Sparky’s apartment. Children are encouraged to demonstrate the skills that they have learned in the police training class in a miniature town that is complete with sidewalks, roadways, street signs, traffic lights, and a working railway crossing. The children navigate their way through the village by foot, on bicycles or in small battery operated jeeps.

The Springs Preserve Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for the Springs Preserve. The mission of the Springs Preserve is "to inspire communities to sustain our land and embrace our culture." Upon opening on June 8, 2007, Springs Preserve immediately began broadening a new mind-set, one that's rooted in nature, embraces culture, and crosses all boundaries and generations. Sprung from the water-blessed grounds where Las Vegas first began, the 180-acre "eco-island" has emerged not only as a fun and functional monument to resourceful living, but a launching pad for a better way of life through sustainable living practices. In short, this "Central Park" atmosphere not only serves to enhance communities around the world, it will be a key gathering spot that brings us all together.

We are a global community of dedicated volunteers, creating opportunities for all ages to experience the excitement and enrichment of cultural diversity through our educational programmes. We are founded on our belief that peace is possible through friendship - and that the real difference can be made by starting with children. Our values are -Friendship -Inclusiveness -Enthusiasm -Engagement -Cooperation CISV provides a range of unique, education group activities, which develop cross-cultural understanding in children, youth and adults from around the world. By encouraging respect for cultural difference and the development of self-awareness, CISV empowers each participant to incorporate these values into their lives as they become global citizens and strive for a more peaceful world. Although CISV is a fun and an exciting experience, there is a lot more to it than just that. Our multicultural programmes are based on sound educational principles and objectives.

Fine Educational, athletic and cultural opportunities, as well as landmark architecture, are all part of the contribution GPRC makes to community life in Grande Prairie and the Peace River region. More than 2,000 students annually pursue university studies, career and academic upgrading programs, and trades and agricultural studies at GPRC and its Fairview College Campus and some 6,000 students register in training programs and continuing education classes each year. The Grande Prairie Campus is situated on a picturesque urban lake and is adjacent to trails well-suited for walking, biking and cross country skiiing. The Fairview College Campus includes a 300 seat theare, racquet ball and squash courts, community pool and weight room, all located on a large parcel of land that is a cornerstone to the community of Fairview, Alberta. GPRC is also stewards for community learning centres in Edson, Grande Cache,Hinton and Jasper, Alberta.