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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"

Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico provides free legal education and support to low-income individuals and communities in Puerto Rico. We promote social impact advocacy to ensure a just and equitable society, where human rights are guaranteed.

Oxfam is a global movement of people who share the belief that, in a world rich in resources, poverty isn't inevitable. It's an injustice which can, and must, be overcome. We're dedicated to building a just and safer world focusing on people's rights. We're passionate about ending poverty and helping to rebuild the lives affected by it. It's an enormous undertaking but we also have people on our side - talented and committed partners, volunteers, supporters and staff who share the same values. We aim to save lives by responding quickly with aid and protection during emergencies, empower people to work their own way out of poverty and campaign for lasting change. We have been saving and changing lives for seventy years now and know that tackling poverty is only possible when we are helping people to secure their fundamental human rights - the right to life and security, the right to a sustainable livelihood, the right to essential services, the right to be heard and the right to equity (in particular, the rights of women). We work at all levels - global and local, with international governments and global institutions, local communities and individuals - to make sure that these rights are protected and that the best solutions to people's suffering are implemented. Our values as an organisation are founded upon our experiences. We know that poverty can only be overcome once the fundamental human rights of impoverished others are secured and our three main values as an organisation - empowerment, accountability, inclusiveness - reflect this. Empowerment - our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen. Accountability - our purpose driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable; we believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions. Inclusiveness - we are open to everyone and embrace diversity; we believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Its mission is to promote the dignity of the person through development activities, with special attention to education. ACDI recognizes the uniqueness of each person, who cannot be reduced to a number within an anonymous category such as "the poor, the sick, the disabled". Furthermore, every person and every community represents a resource, regardless of their vulnerability. This is why ACDI works to help people in becoming aware of their own value and dignity.

To improve the quality of life and advance the rights of children; To bring about change for good on behalf of children and families, and encourage them to participate in processes which enhance their equality, self-reliance and long term sustainable development; Wherever possible to provide practical support which allows children to grow up within their own families and communities

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.

1. To empower women and their families by the pursuit of local social development initiatives and rural improvement. 2. To provide social services to the members and their families in the areas of livelihood development, processing and marketing of farm products, community savings, home economics and sustainable agriculture. 3. To advocate for the promotion of women's rights and women empowerment. 4. To link with other organizations, networks and entities with similar goals and objectives with the organization.

To raise funds for grassroots conservation projects and generate awareness of the important environmental, economic, cultural, and social roles of African forests

They are a Student-Led Organization focused on educating communities on plastic pollution, creating a connection between people and the ocean through water sports, and raising more awareness on the state of the oceans through educational art installments.

As a global foundation, BBS promotes and facilitates excellence in giving and mentoring. We match corporations and individuals, their funds and/or skills, with purposeful, sustainable and high impact non-profit initiatives. Through our work we create responsible partnerships and support a culture of accountability, innovation and greater effectiveness in the non-profit sector. We have no religious or political affiliations.

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

"Bright Side Projects" creates a support system dedicated to long term improvement in the lives of children and families through creative education, plant-based foods, and eco-friendly content rich activities. How: Build knowledge in hands-on, project-based lessons Provide resources for families and at-risk individuals Three phase program empowering youth through educational scholarships and life skills training Socialization, emotion management, confidence building for success in society Promote community involvement through education and volunteer opportunities