Building caring communities is the heart of all that the Society of St. Andrew does. That may sound lofty for a gleaning organization, but it’s exactly what happens when you support this mission. Every gift you give multiplies into acts of compassion, nourishment, and connection that grow far beyond a single piece of rescued produce.
West End Community Church in Birmingham, Alabama, lives out what it means to be a caring community. The church leaders and their neighbors have cultivated a network of ministries that meet people where they are: offering meals through the WE Café (a pay-what-you-can lunchroom), after-school and summer programs for children, workforce development opportunities, and even homeownership support. Their work is by residents, for residents.
When West End Community Church began hosting a joyful community harvest party for the sweet potatoes grown in their WE Garden, they quickly learned that demand for potatoes far outpaced what they could grow. So last year, Pastor Harper reached out to SoSA for help. Thanks to your support, SoSA staff delivered several pallets of potatoes to supplement their harvest. Volunteers bagged them up, and the entire neighborhood joined in for a day filled with laughter, food, and fellowship. Despite truck troubles, rain, and more than a few logistical hurdles, the event was a success, complete with t-shirts proclaiming, “More Taters. Less Haters.”
This year’s event ran even smoother. SoSA provided more potatoes, a liftgate truck, and a donated pallet jack, helping the West End community share food and fun once again.
As we approach the end of 2025, SoSA fields calls from partner feeding agencies who are in greater and greater need of more fresh produce. The need is increasing daily, particularly through the holiday season. Your support means organizations like West End Community Church can share more food with neighbors AND have funds to spend on children’s programming or financial support for the community.
When you give to SoSA, you’re doing far more than rescuing produce. You are fueling events like potato harvests, empowering neighbors in West End, and helping churches and volunteers everywhere come together around good food. That’s what building caring communities looks like.
This article was originally published in the Fall 2025 Quarterly Newsletter.