| Gleaners Inc. | |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1986 |
| Type | Individual and Family Social Services |
| Legal status | non-profit organization |
| Purpose/focus | Humanitarian aid |
| Headquarters | Jackson, Mississippi |
| Official languages | English |
| Chief Executive Officer | John Shorkey |
| Main organ | Board of Directors |
| Budget | $70,000 |
| Staff | 63 |
| Volunteers | 100 |
Gleaners, also known as The Volunteers Of Gleaners, is a non-profit organization founded by Gloria Martinson in 1986 that helps feed the homeless in Jackson, Mississippi (not to be confused with the Gleaners food bank in Indiana).[1] Gleaning is the collection of leftover crops after fields have been harvested.
John Shorkly is current CEO[1] and Nancy Willis is the Operations Manager.[2]
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The volunteers of Gleaners in Jackson, Mississippi collect food that otherwise would go to waste and give it to charitable agencies.[3][4][5] Donated food comes from wholesale food distributors, retail establishments such as supermarkets, restaurants, and bakeries, as well as hospitals and churches.[4][5] The food is then distributed to charities caring for indigent elderly, to day care centers, halfway houses, and shelters, at no cost to them.[2]
Gleaners is an all-volunteer, nonprofit agency overseen by a board of directors. They have a fleet of six trucks for collecting food from donors, and operate from a building equipped with walk-in refrigerators and freezers, tables for re-packaging of donated food, and sinks for cleaning of equipment. With total expenses less than $70,000 per year, they receive no government funding, and all operating expenses for vehicles, food packaging, utilities, fuel and insurance come from private individuals, foundations, churches, and non-governmental grants.[5] Some 100 volunteers serve Gleaners each year, driving the trucks and preparing food for distribution.[2]
Food distribution is based on numbers and characteristics of persons served in each shelter. Over 50 agencies share food donations based on need, so that Gleaners can provide food to charitable agencies that care for low-income and homeless individuals. Most involved charities pick up food donations once or twice a week, while some get a daily food distribution.[2]
Gleaners has in operation since 1986, Gloria Martinson started the organization from her own kitchen. The amount of food collected and distributed has increased through 2008, with food intake and outgo exceeding one million pounds. The cost per pound of food collected and distributed has remained at about six cents per pound, compared to a market value of $1.50 per pound or more than $1.5 million for all food distributed. By 2008 Gleaners had about sixty volunteers.[5]
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