Fighting Food Insecurity Together: Our Partnership with We Don’t Waste

At the National Western Center, we believe meaningful change begins with collaboration. This year we started our partnership with We Don’t Waste, a leading Denver-based nonprofit working to reduce food waste and fight hunger by rescuing high-quality, unused food and distributing it to those who need it most. We Don’t Waste collaborates with food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, and other nonprofit partners across the Denver area (wedontwaste.org).

We recently captured this work in action, watch the full video here.

Why It Matters

Every day, perfectly good food is thrown away, while thousands in our communities struggle with hunger.

According to data published by We Don’t Waste, 40% of all food in the U.S. goes unsold or uneaten. Much of this food ends up in landfills, where it releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is up to 87 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Meanwhile, 1 in 3 Coloradans faces food insecurity with rates even higher among households with children and communities of color.

10,429 Individuals Served and Counting

Since launching our partnership in March, we have helped serve approximately 10,429 individuals and nearly 100 GES community households with nutritious food that would have otherwise gone to waste. This includes surplus produce, dairy, and other high-quality items sourced locally.

“We are very grateful to have this partnership with the National Western Center— to be able to bring a mobile food market to this neighborhood,” says Caroline Hissong, Senior Marketing and Communications Manager at We Don’t Waste. “GES is considered a food desert, meaning food access here is difficult.”

What We’re Doing Together

Through our ongoing partnership, the National Western Center and We Don’t Waste are proud to support efforts that make a real impact:

• Food Recovery & Redistribution: Through joint efforts, we help recover thousands of pounds of surplus food from local sources.
• Community Impact: With the support of our teams and volunteers, we’ve helped provide meals for hundreds of families across the Denver area, including our surrounding Globeville, Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods.
• Raising Awareness: Our collaboration isn’t just about logistics; it’s about changing mindsets. We’re working together to educate the public on how food waste affects both hunger and the environment.

Real Stories, Real Impact

In our video, you’ll hear directly from We Don’t Waste’s passionate team. These stories are powerful reminders that small actions, like donating surplus food or volunteering time, can make a big difference.

How You Can Help

We invite you to be part of this movement:

• Watch and share our video to spread the word.
• Volunteer your time with We Don’t Waste or at a local food drive.
• Donate food, funds, or resources to support this essential work. Have extra food from your business, restaurant, or institution? You can become a food donor through We Don’t Waste.

Learn more or schedule a pickup: email food@wedontwaste.org or call 720-943-2690.

Together, we can build a world where good food goes to good use—and everyone has access.