Inspired by her sister making a documentary about hunger, Gabrielle created the "Donate Don't Dump"
logo to spread awareness about hunger and food waste. She started
Donate Don't Dump to change the paradigm of food waste and link concerns
about the environment and sustainability to alleviating hunger.
*CLINK!* HERE to listen!
We
talk about how at age 12, she created Donate, Don't Dump, to feed
hungry families in her local community with food that was being disposed
of needlessly. She tells us why it is important for her to keep on
working to inspire others, how "just a kid" really can make a
difference. She shares how her mom is her personal guide &
mentor (awwwwww)!
Since
we can't ask what she would tell herself looking back at 21 (ummm,
because she is 16!), we turn the tables & ask her what she'd tell
herself in the future at 21. The answer is sooooo fab. Gabrielle has
been featured in People Mag, writes for HuffPo & on the day I
visited (Global Youth Service Day) had several interviews happening all
at once! Have a listen, read more & then get yourself to Donate, Don't Dump, at once!
By
encouraging grocers and food companies to donate their surplus or short
dated food and spreading awareness, her team has been credited for
increasing donations by over 800,000 pounds. In the US over 96 billion
pounds of edible food end up in landfills, while 1 in 4 children in the
US experience hunger. Gabrielle's mission is to make food rescue as
common as recycling. Companies that donate are protected from liability
by a National Law, get tax benefits, reduce dumpster fees, and are just
doing the right thing. She has been honored by California State
Senators, US Representative Darrell Issa, and other elected officials.
Gabrielle
is a member of the Hunger Advocacy Network and The North County Food
Policy Council. She advocates and lobbies in Sacramento for the
environment, hungry families and promotes AB341, California's Mandatory
Recycling Law, and has worked to pass Zero Waste Ordinances, as well as
currently raising awareness for Bill SB134 "No Hunger For Heroes.", to
help struggling military families put food on their table.
"In
recognition of your outstanding achievements, The White House is proud
to announce, Donate Don't Dump is an official Certifying Organization of
the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a prestigious national honor
offered in recognition of volunteer commitment to service..."
*CLINK!* HERE to listen!
Question: What is the single largest component of waste going to landfills?
Answer: Food! Sadly, 40% of all food produced goes from farm to store to landfill.
Gabrielle's bio on the Huffington Post: "Gabrielle Posard is a 16-year-old high school sophomore from San Diego
County that created the national charity, Donate Don’t Dump. Her goal
is to change the paradigm of commercial food waste; reduce landfill
dumping, decrease methane gas pollution, and alleviate hunger in a
sustainable manner. At age 12, she discovered that in the U.S. over 96
billion pounds of edible food ends up in landfills, enough to fill 91
Empire State Buildings, yet 1 in 4 children experience hunger. Her dual
solution alleviates hunger while helping to reduce landfill waste by
promoting “food rescue”; coordinating grocers and food companies to
donate their surplus or short dated food to food banks instead of
dumping it. Her organization has grown to over 4,000 members/partners in
four States engaging young people to get involved to collect and
distribute food, help pass Zero Waste Legislation, and advocate for the
environment and hungry. Her teen organization has been credited for
rescuing over 800,000 pounds of food and 650,000 meals. Gabrielle's
mission is to make commercial “food rescue” as common as recycling. She
has been featured in PEOPLE magazine online and received multiple awards for her work."
Kudos from Leeza Gibbons!
Gabrielle tells us about the Disney grant she received!
Featured in People Mag!
*Clink,
Chat & Catch Up!* airs every Wednesday and features an interview
with an inspirational person who is following their passion and dreams,
and the story behind how they did it! *cork popping* Our goal here at
the Bubbly Talk Radio Network is to give the people that listen to us a
platform to spread the word on their passions, because after all, that
is what we're all about! Want to nominate YOUR Champagne Sister or
Champagne Mister for an interview? *CLINK!* here & tell us about 'em!
