Have questions about food rescue, food donation, volunteering, or supporting RLC? Find answers to common questions below and learn how to get involved.
How can I volunteer with RLC?
There are several ways to volunteer with RLC depending on where you live. Visit our volunteer page to see available opportunities.
Where can I volunteer with RLC?
RLC has volunteer opportunities in our active branch markets, including Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Massachusetts; New Jersey; New York City, NY; and Rhode Island. Visit our volunteer page to see current volunteer opportunities and learn more about volunteering in your area.
How old do you have to be to volunteer with RLC?
You must be 18 or older to volunteer on your own. Volunteers ages 16-17 can participate with parent or guardian consent. Volunteers of any age can participate when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Does RLC offer corporate volunteer opportunities?
Yes. RLC offers corporate group volunteer experiences that combine education about wasted food and food insecurity with hands-on activities such as food rescue and meal building. Learn more about corporate volunteer opportunities.
What does a corporate volunteer event with RLC involve?
Corporate volunteer experiences include a brief educational component followed by a hands-on activity, such as rescuing excess food or building meals. Experiences can be customized based on your team's goals, schedule, group size, and desired impact.
Where do corporate volunteer events take place?
RLC primarily hosts corporate volunteer events in New York City, including at participating companies' offices and, when available, at RLC's office in the Financial District. Corporate volunteer opportunities may also be available in other RLC branch markets, including Massachusetts, Chicago, and other active locations depending on availability. If your company is interested in hosting a corporate volunteer event, submit an inquiry through our corporate volunteer opportunities page.
How can my company book a corporate volunteer event?
Companies can book a corporate volunteer experience by submitting an inquiry through our corporate volunteer opportunities page. Our team will follow up to discuss your team's goals, schedule, group size, and the best experience for your organization.
How does volunteering with RLC support corporate social responsibility goals?
Volunteering with RLC allows companies to make a measurable local impact while reducing wasted food and supporting neighbors facing food insecurity. Corporate volunteer experiences can also support employee engagement, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility goals.
How can I donate excess food to RLC?
RLC accepts food donations from licensed or regulated food businesses, organizations, and institutions. If your business has excess food you'd like to donate and you are ready to donate, submit a food donor inquiry.
What types of food can I donate?
RLC accepts a wide variety of excess food from licensed food businesses. Visit our Food Guidelines page for a comprehensive overview of what we can accept.
Can my restaurant, hotel, caterer, or other business donate food?
Yes. RLC works with restaurants, caterers, hotels, corporate offices, grocery and retail businesses, manufacturers, distributors, and other licensed food businesses. Submit a food donor inquiry if you're ready to donate or email partnerships@rescuingleftovercuisine.org to tell us about your organization and the food you'd like to donate.
Where does donated food go?
RLC redistributes donated food to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that serve neighbors facing food insecurity.
Where can I donate leftover food if I'm not near an RLC branch?
If your business is located within one of RLC's branch service areas, our local operations teams can coordinate one-time or recurring food donations. If you're outside one of our branch locations, we may still be able to support large-scale food donation opportunities through our national network. Review our Branch Locations page to see whether your business is within a service area, or visit our Large-Scale Donations page to learn more. If you're unsure which option is right for your organization, email partnerships@rescuingleftovercuisine.org and our Partnerships team will determine the best donation pathway.
Can I make a large-scale food donation?
Yes. RLC works with businesses that have larger quantities of excess food, including pallet- and truckload-scale donations. Large-scale donation opportunities may be supported outside RLC's local branch service areas through our national network. Visit our Large-Scale Donations page or email partnerships@rescuingleftovercuisine.org to discuss your donation.
Can I make recurring food donations?
Yes. RLC can coordinate both one-time and recurring food donations, depending on your location, food type, volume, and operational needs.
Why does RLC charge a service fee?
Our service fee helps cover the logistics of safely collecting and redistributing excess food, allowing us to provide reliable pickups while building a sustainable food rescue network. Pricing varies depending on your organization's donation volume and service needs, and our Partnerships Team can recommend the best solution. Questions about pricing? Contact us.
Are food donations tax deductible?
Yes! Our donors receive monthly reports with donation amounts for their taxes.
Can I receive food directly from RLC?
RLC does not provide food directly to individuals. We distribute donated food through 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving neighbors facing food insecurity. If you are looking for food assistance, please consult our food assistance resources for information about resources in RLC's active branch markets.
How can my nonprofit organization receive donated food from RLC?
If your organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving neighbors facing food insecurity, you can apply to become an RLC nonprofit partner. Learn more here.
Is my donation to RLC tax deductible?
Yes! As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all donations are tax deductible.
How can I donate to RLC?
You can support RLC through a monetary donation here or explore other ways to support our food rescue mission. Visit our Ways to Give page to get started.
How does RLC use monetary donations?
All donations directly support RLC's food rescue mission. View our audited financial statements to learn more about how we use donations.
What are other ways I can support RLC?
There are many ways to support RLC beyond making a monetary donation, including volunteering, donating excess food, participating in corporate volunteer experiences, and supporting our work through other fundraising opportunities.