Rockin' to Fight Hunger
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Rock and Wrap It Up!
Ri
ock and Wrap It Up! (RWU) is a nonprofit pro-
gram that arranges the collection and local dona-
tion of leftover food from rock concerts, sporting
events, political rallies, and college and school cafeterias.
There's a lot of food leftover from these venues—as a rule,
caterers prepare 10 to 15 percent more than they need
for an event—and RWU makes it simple and satisfying to
donate the leftovers.
How It Works
RWU provides contract language for bands, political figures, and
sport teams to include in their contracts or permits requiring that
all leftover food be donated to local soup kitchens. The contract
clause is "All edible leftover food to go to local soup kitchens or
shelters and Rock and Wrap it Up! will arrange for the removal."
The 1996 Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Law protects the donors
across the nation from liability for tainted food.
At the end of an event, an RWU representative organizes the
safe recovery and delivery of all edible leftover food.
More than 5,000 volunteers have worked with RWU in 500 cities
since the program began, feeding more than
30 million people.
What Makes RWU Successful
Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. Participating bands
and groups only have to include the contract
language provided by RWU. Contractual obligations
ensure the donation of food, while the simplicity of
the concept appeals to participants. Donations can
help reduce or avoid disposal costs and having Rock
and Wrap It Up! volunteers available simplifies the
cleanup process. Unpaid volunteers are the gears
that keep the machine running smoothly—RWU
spends only $15,000 each year to arrange meals that
feed 2.5 million people annually.
Everyone Benefits
Participants not only avoid the cost of throwing
away edible food, but also help their communities by
donating food to hungry citizens. To date, 150 bands
participate in the program, and RWU partners with
Pi Lambda Phi fraternity and the U.S. Conference of
Mayors (Mayors Initiative!) to encourage donations
www.epa.gov/organicmaterials/fd-study.htm
and set up donation programs. The movement has grown to
include schools (Rock and Wrap It Up! School Program) and uni-
versities (College Wrap!). RWU offers resources that help teachers
start programs at their schools and provides lesson plans about
nutrition and the reality of hunger. RWU also works with profes-
sional sports teams (Sports Wrap!) and organizes collection events
every congressional year in an initiative called Everybody Wins on
Election Night!
Everyone benefits when leftover food is donated to local food
shelters. At your next catered event, consider sending any extra
edible food to your community food shelter or soup kitchen
so that you can feed the hungry while keeping food from going
to waste.
Type of Recovery:
Donation
Company: Rock and Wrap It Up!
Non-profit hunger relief organization
Website: www.rockandwrapitup.org
Cool Facts:
fl) RWU spends only $15,000
annually to arrange meals that
feed 2.5 million people
l) 5,000 unpaid
volunteers and
150 bands
participate
in RWU
October 2006
EPA530-F-06-038
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