MAJOR MILESTONE! 300 + FOOD RESCUES!

Written By Melissa Uppendahl

Melissa Uppendahl, Executive Director of the Marcella Foundation at the Tahoe Chamber Business Expo

Hello FeedTahoe Friends!

We’re back with another FeedTahoe Friday update—just arriving on a Saturday this week (because food doesn’t follow a calendar). Thank you for sticking with us through the ebb and flow of this ever-evolving, community-powered program.

🎉 Major Milestone: 300+ Food Rescues!

That’s 300 times your efforts have kept good food out of the landfill and placed it into the hands of neighbors who need it most.

In the past two weeks alone:

  • ✅ 29 food rescues completed
  • 📦 Over 1,650 pounds of food recovered
  • 💪 13 amazing volunteers made it happen
  • 🏡 Food delivered to 9 nonprofit partners
  • 🌍 3,469 pounds of CO₂ emissions diverted

Most of the food rescued was prepared meals and baked goods—items that offer quick nourishment to busy families, seniors, and unhoused community members.

⚠️ Food Bank Cuts Will Impact Tahoe

We’ve learned that the Food Bank of Northern Nevada has lost significant federal funding, especially for meat and protein. This will directly impact supplies in Tahoe—particularly for sites like Christmas Cheer, which rely heavily on these distributions.

We’re already in conversation with partners about how to help fill the gap. Stay tuned for ways you can get involved.

💬 Impact Story: Hunger Action Network

FeedTahoe is about more than just food—it’s about community power. We’re excited to share that many of our nonprofit recipients are now forming a Hunger Action Network.

This group will work together on sourcing, advocacy, and collective action to strengthen our local food system. It all started with you.

🤝 FeedTahoe at the Business Expo

We had a blast at last week’s South Lake Tahoe Business Expo, meeting tons of community members, businesses, and local leaders. We made great connections and were reminded just how many people want to be part of the solution.

📲 Volunteer App Reminders

Here are a few quick tips to keep things running smoothly:

  • 📅 Out of town? Tap “Request Sub” to let someone cover your route.
  • ⏸️ Need a break? Tap “Drop Route” to free your spot.
  • 🛑 Empty rescues happen! If you arrive and there’s no food:
    • Say hello to the food donor.
    • Thank them for being part of FeedTahoe.
    • Let us know via the dispatch line.
    • If it continues, we’ll adjust the schedule with the donor.

🧡 Keep Showing Up

FeedTahoe only works because of you—your time, your energy, and your heart. Whether you're driving, donating, or cheering us on, you’re part of a movement that’s rewriting the story of hunger in Tahoe.

Let’s keep going!

With gratitude,

Melissa Uppendahl
Executive Director, Marcella Foundation
www.marcellafoundation.org | www.feedtahoe.org

Melissa Uppendahl