Miles of Gratitude 2025: Five Years of Rescuing Food and Building Community in Cincinnati

On September 30, 2025, over 250 people showed up at The Mettey Event Center at Matthew 25 Ministries to celebrate five years of Last Mile Food Rescue. Food Rescue Heroes, food donors, sponsors, and friends filled the room for an evening that felt like a community reunion and a true celebration of community, compassion, and collective impact.

The Power of Every Individual 

In just five years, Last Mile Food Rescue has  rescued and delivered 12.5 million meals to neighbors experiencing food insecurity across Greater Cincinnati. That’s millions of pounds of fresh produce, proteins, dairy, and baked goods that would have been thrown out, now feeding people instead.

But the bigger story is the people who made it happen. The grocery managers who text when there’s extra food. The volunteers who reroute their commutes to pick up rescues. The agency staff who distribute it with care. The generous financial supporters who keep every mile moving forward. This work doesn’t happen without each person showing up. 

This mission only works because thousands of people keep showing up.

A Season of Gratitude 

Miles of Gratitude was about coming together and celebrating the people who make this work possible every single day. As we move into the season of gratitude, we continue in this posture of celebration & thanksgiving for the amazing community that makes Last Mile’s work possible every single day.

In the first year of food rescue alone, we tapped into 500 community members who helped support food rescue in one way or another – from the first moment of identifying rescuable food to the final step of handing it out to those who need it, food rescue has been powered by the community from day one. In the last five years, we’ve had over 2,000 volunteers complete rescues and over 500 nonprofits and food donors choose to take the time and energy to support food rescue by saving extra food & making adjustments to distribute it in a timely, safe manner. 

Honoring Our Heroes

During the celebration, we recognized several individuals who embody the spirit of Last Mile — people whose leadership, generosity, and heart have fueled this mission since day one:

Mission Champion Award: John Pepper
For unwavering dedication to fighting food insecurity and championing Last Mile’s mission across the community.

Community Impact Award: Carley Riley, SAFE Network at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
For creating meaningful connections between food rescue and the families who need it most.

Catalyst Award: Barbara Hauser, Procter & Gamble
For sparking change, driving impact, and inspiring others to take action against food waste.

Generosity in Action Award: Jodi Geiser
For consistently showing up with heart, hands, and a commitment to serving our neighbors in need.

5 Years of Impact Award: All Volunteers Celebrating 5 Years of Service
To every Food Rescue Hero who has been with us since the beginning, you are the foundation of everything we do. Your dedication, compassion, and consistency inspire us every single day.

• Susan Brenner
• Patti Hawkins
• Michael Henize
• Patty Goddard
• Ken Kramer
• Angie McKenzie
• Carl & Suzette Roof
• Doug Stuckey
• Bob Werner
• Patty Wilken

Gratitude in Every Direction

To every Food Rescue Hero who has ever picked up a rescue, delivered fresh food, or signed up for a last-minute shift: thank you. You are the heartbeat of this organization.

To our food donors who trust us with their surplus and believe in our mission: thank you. Your partnership makes every meal possible.

To our recipient agencies who welcome rescued food with open arms and distribute it with dignity: thank you. You complete the circle.

To our sponsors, supporters, and champions who believe in a future without food waste or food insecurity: thank you. Your funding  fuels our work.

And to every single person who attended Miles of Gratitude: thank you for celebrating with us. Your presence reminded us that this work isn’t just about logistics or pounds rescued. It’s about people. It’s about community. It’s about hope.

The Next Five Years Start Now

As we celebrate this milestone, we also look ahead with renewed purpose. The need is still great. The food waste still staggering. But the community — our community — has shown what’s possible when we act together.

The next chapter of food rescue starts now. And it starts with you.

Want to join the movement?
Sign up to rescue food, spread the word, or support our mission at lastmilefood.org.

Here’s to the next 12.5 million meals. Here’s to every Food Rescue Hero. Here’s to the power of community.

Here’s to the miles ahead.