News & Updates
Rapid Response Weekly Update Issue #6
Your Impact, Today Thanks to your support! Since February 1st, over 116,000 meals have been produced and distributed to those in need. Because of your support, thousands of families are being fed during these painful days. And that’s something you can be proud of....
Rapid Response Weekly Update Issue #5
Your Impact, Today Your gifts and support are making it possible for Cultivate to produce and distribute 16,000 meals per week. Make sure you follow us on Facebook to get more up-to-the-minute news, live videos, and see photos of the impact you’re making with us here...
Rapid Response Weekly Update Issue #4
Today is #GivingTuesdayNow – a global day of unity in giving as the world fights COVID-19. Together. Your gift today will join together with millions of others around the world to help communities overcome the losses and challenges of the Coronavirus. Give securely...
Rapid Response Weekly Update Issue #3
When Life Gives You Lemons… …Make Lemonade! Have you ever thought about how this common adage applies to food rescue? When you use this phrase, you’re probably talking about taking something not so great and making it into something good. But if you think about it,...
Rapid Response Weekly Update Issue #2
We’re back this week to share some more encouragement and hopefully bring a smile to your face as we take a look at all of the amazing ways our community has stepped in to help feed those in need. If you would have told us a month or two ago that we would be producing...
Rapid Response Weekly Update Issue #1
Each week we’re popping into your inbox to share some hope and encouragement during these uncertain and frightening days. Read on for some great stories of how your community is coming together to feed those in need during the COVID-19 crisis, and more information...
Cultivate Distribution Plan during COVID-19 Crisis
Recent school and business closures put even more pressure on families struggling with food-insecurity. Children are no longer being fed at school during the day, and their parents may be hourly workers whose industries are suffering. These children need you now...
It Takes a Village to Feed a Child
While school is in session, these children have access to breakfast and lunch during the week, but the weekends can be hard. On Monday mornings, many food-insecure kids start their day behind on nutrition and energy, which affects their ability to learn. In fact, when...
Local Not-For-Profits Partner to Address Community Needs
March 4, 2020, For immediate release: For the last three years, St. Joseph County 4-H youth members and volunteers have worked together on a program called Meat Hunger to address the growing issue of hunger in our community, which led to identifying Cultivate Food...
The Face of Hope – Who Benefits from the Backpack Program?
Olivia is your average seven-year-old. She loves puppies and scrunchies and is in the second grade at your local elementary school. But she doesn’t really like school. And the reason why might surprise you. Olivia sometimes has trouble paying attention in class...
Cultivate Hosts Elkhart Chamber of Commerce for Business After Hours Event in New Facility
Cultivate was also pleased to host the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event in January. Around 30 people attended and toured our new facility, sampled one of our chef’s delicious food, and learned more about our program. “Like” Us on Facebook!...
Who Were the First Volunteers In Our New Building?
A group from the Ladies of Notre Dame & St. Mary’s was the first to volunteer in Cultivate’s new facility. They worked hard to pack 400 backpacks for nine elementary schools in St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Marshall Counties. Thank you to all of our hard-working...
“Cultivate moves food rescue…” | An abc57 Story
A big 'thank you!' to abc57 for telling the community about our recent move into Cultivate's brand-new 11,000 square-foot facility! "SOUTH BEND, Ind.—Cultivate, a local food rescue organization, all started as a culinary school operating out of a former restaurant in...
University of Notre Dame’s Incredible Generosity Continues – This Time from Their Students!
Students in a Notre Dame philanthropy class were tasked with finding worthy nonprofits to support last semester. They researched a variety of organizations, reached out to request proposals from those they were interested in, and Cultivate is honored to have been...
All Moved In! Cultivate’s New Building Update
After months of planning, fundraising, and renovation, the move to 1403 Prairie Avenue in South Bend is underway! We plan to be up and running in our new facility by the end of January, and you’ll be able to come and see things for yourself at an Open House, which...
Partner Spotlight – Nappanee Missionary Church
Cultivate thanks Nappanee Missionary Church and Andrea Helmuth for their life-changing involvement. Nappanee Missionary Church is a generous financial partner of Cultivate and has provided and organized faithful volunteers too! Andrea Helmuth was introduced to...
400 Backpacks Funded! Now on to a New Goal in 2020
Thanks to your gifts and support, we met our goal of funding 400 backpacks for children in need this school year! Your financial and food donations make it possible to send six nutritious frozen meals home with 400 kids each weekend. We are so grateful to everyone...
Join Our On-Call List!
Most volunteer groups schedule a two-hour session weeks in advance, but sometimes we get unexpected blessings of rescued food that needs to be processed quickly. In those cases, in order to be good stewards and make the most of your time, we need a few people we can...