Too many go hungry while good food goes to waste.
The Gleaners rescues surplus food and redistributes it to feed communities across Mississippi—with zero waste and maximum impact.
Every day, grocery stores, restaurants and caterers
throw away perfectly good food.
Meanwhile, families in our communities
struggle with hunger.
At The Gleaners, we believe there’s enough food for everyone—we just need to get it where it’s needed. For over 39 years, we’ve rescued, repurposed, and redistributed surplus food to help eliminate hunger in Mississippi. Even spoiled food is turned into compost to grow more.
We Rescue surplus food.
We Repurpose it with care.
We Redistribute it to local partners.
The Story Behind Of Our Movement
For over 39 years, The Gleaners has quietly and faithfully worked behind the scenes to combat hunger and eliminate food waste in Jackson, Mississippi. What began as a grassroots Christian ministry to help feed the hungry has grown into a trusted network of faithful volunteers who rescue, repurpose, and redistribute nutritious food to soup kitchens, churches, food pantries, and organizations throughout the region. Unlike traditional food banks, The Gleaners doesn’t just stock shelves—they gather surplus food that would otherwise be discarded and transform it into sustenance, all while maintaining a zero-waste philosophy. Even spoiled food is composted and returned to the earth through local gardens.
- Rescue
- Repurpose
- Redistribute
- Zero Waste
- 100% Impact
Our Partners
We redistribute food through a trusted network of ministry partners—delivering nourishment with dignity, zero waste, and with the heart of a servant.
What’s at Stake
When food is wasted, people go hungry. When we work together, everyone is fed—and nothing is wasted.
Volunteer hours per week
Pounds of food rescued per year
Food salvaged for distribution
Our Key Priorities
The Gleaners embodies the humble, consistent, and dependable presence of a trusted servant—steadily doing the work that matters without seeking the spotlight.
PURPOSEFUL & PRACTICAL
Driven by a clear mission and grounded in practical solutions, The Gleaners is focused, effective, and efficient in getting food to those who need it most.
COMPASSIONATE
Everything The Gleaners does is fueled by care for others. Whether it’s rescuing food or composting scraps, they do it with integrity and compassion.
HOPEFUL & FORWARD-THINKING
The Gleaners is not content with the status quo. Their innovative, zero-waste model and vision for expansion point to a hopeful future where no one in Mississippi goes hungry.
Our Campaigns
Rescue. Repurpose. Redistribute