About Our mission

 

WE HAVE US is a social/urban development and empowerment organization with the primary objective of liberating the oppressed through education and resources. We believe that to affect change, we must begin by rebuilding communities from the inside out. We believe rebuilding communities requires supporting those in need while also innovating ways to  support the growth of  minority-owned businesses.

 

In alignment with the above goals, we have developed an ecosystem of change focusing on six key factors; the first phase in our ecosystem is reversing food insecurities in low-income communities.

 

We have created a channel for minority-owned businesses to participate in charitable giving by donating surplus food waste to our organization which is then facilitated back into communities that will benefit most. 

 

Why donate?

According to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation, over 500,000 children are living in Atlanta’s food desert. Data-Smart City Solutions defines a food desert as an area more than half a mile from a grocery store or farmer’s market.

 

We believe surplus food should go back into communities in need rather than being thrown away. We also understand the financial burden resulting from excessive food waste and have responded by creating a system that enables your business to recoup that loss. 

 

Because our organization is a registered 501(c)(3), we can help you absorb that loss by taking your surplus food and, in return, providing you with a tax-deductible receipt, minimizing your profit loss, and also highlighting your business as a community partner, driving revenue back back into your restaurant. 

 

In addition to tax, write offs, your food donation will inspire people from near and far to continue to patronize your business. Our organization pays for all advertisements associated with your food donation. This means a free advertisement for you!

 

 

How does it work?

• I work with the manager or owner of the establishment to determine how many people your establishment is able to feed, as well as the menu you would be able to prepare. (We always recommend a meat, side item, and main item) (You can also test out new menu items through our program)

• I set up a day and time to pick up the food. 

• Food can be handed to me in catering pans(we will handle all packaging)

• You provide a receipt for the total cost of goods

• We provide a tax receipt to support the order total. 

• I will send you all photos after the event is over. Alternatively, you can view the pictures on our website or social media pages. 

• That’s pretty much it!

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Is there any liability to us?

Great news! Because your donation is an act of charitable giving, your donation will not in any way suggest or assume ANY liability. Please see below for the law which covers your organization. 

 

The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act

In 1996, Congress made a significant effort to remove liability-related barriers to food recovery and donation efforts by passing the Bill Emerson Act, which aims to absolve donors of potential civil and criminal liability for injuries resulting from the use of the donated item, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. 83 The Bill Emerson Act addresses the liability issue and eliminates the difficulty of complying with 51 different liability schemes. The Act “establish[es] a uniform national law to protect organizations and individuals when they donate goods in good faith” 84 for “encourag[ing] and enabl[ing] restaurants, grocers, and other donors to feed the hungry.” 85

 

 That was a lot! Finally, what are the dates?

Currently, we have two programs, ’ MealTimes at the Park’ and ‘Summer MealTimes.’ Both events are regular and serve as a way to help those who are in need. 

 

We are currently accepting food donations for our ‘MealTimes at the Park,’ which is served on Sundays at Hurt Park.

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