Turning Retail Food Waste into Meals for the Poorest of the Poor
We use crowdfunding-powered letter bombardment campaigns to petition major grocery chains to donate their safe near-expired surplus food — feeding families who need it most.
Per Week at The Barn
Active Volunteers
US Annual Food Waste
Retail Surplus Value
Millions of Pounds of Safe Food Thrown Away Every Day
Major grocery chains discard billions of pounds of perfectly safe near-expired food annually — while millions of Americans go hungry. The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act already protects donors from liability. All that is needed is the will to act.
Our crowdfunding-powered letter bombardment campaigns flood corporate headquarters with petitions, creating the public pressure needed to turn surplus into sustenance.
Targeting Kroger & Walmart HQ — Join the letter drive!
From Donation to Dinner Table
Crowdfund
Supporters fund each letter campaign through GoFundMe.
Letter Bombardment
Hundreds of letters flood corporate HQs petitioning donations.
Partnership & Pickup
Chains agree to coordinate safe food pickup logistics.
Distribution
Food reaches families in need through local pantry networks.
Crystal Beacon Award
Caring Institute Honoree
Crystal Beacon Award
Caring Institute Honoree
Inspired by Uncle Barney & Mother Teresa
In 1981, Barney Welch witnessed the Missionaries of Charity salvaging food from dumpsters to feed the poor. That moment changed him forever. Guided by the Miraculous Medal and the spirit of Mother Teresa, he began rescuing food himself.
Today, The Barn operates with 150+ volunteers, distributing 8+ tons of food per week to families in need. We are building on that legacy — scaling it nationally through advocacy and crowdfunding.
“If we can get even one major chain to commit, we could be feeding millions more people every week.”
Current Campaign Targets
See the Impact in Action
A short documentary on The Barn's mission — coming soon
Lives Changed, Communities Fed
“The food we receive from The Barn feeds our family when nothing else does. It is a true miracle.”
Maria G.
Community Member
“I have volunteered for 3 years. Watching tons of good food get rescued instead of wasted is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.”
Tom R.
Volunteer Driver
“Uncle Barney started something that now keeps growing. This mission deserves every chain in America.”
Sister Anne
Community Partner