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From Our CEO
When we launched Last Mile, I thought that rescuing 5 million pounds of food in one year was a bold and distant goal. Little did I know that our partnerships would be so strong that we would get there in just 5 years.
Communities around the world have tried to keep people who needed help from going hungry. But food insecurity seemed intractable. At Last Mile we asked ourselves: “What could be done differently?”
The answer was in the logistics that bring packages to our doors overnight. We use the same technology to rescue good but excess food that would otherwise go to landfills—and get it to the people who need it most.
Last Year:
• More than 900 volunteers executed more than 22,000 rescues.
• We expanded our markets into 3 new food deserts in Price Hill and Roll Hill.
• Our Last Mile On-the-Go Program provided more than 10,000 grab-and-go meals.
• A grant from Ohio EPA—matched by generous community support—enabled us to expand our fleet of refrigerated vehicles for large loads.
We have grown at an astonishing 30% annually since we launched in 2020, thanks to our partners—food donors, non-profit agencies, volunteers, and financial supporters.
Together, we will rescue 15 million pounds of food annually by 2029—the amount needed to solve food insecurity in Greater Cincinnati.
Thank you for being part of our success. I look forward to taking the next steps with you.
Eileen Budo
Chief Executive Officer
Hunger is a Logistics Problem
17 Million Pounds of Food Rescued!
As of December 2025, Last Mile Food Rescue reached an incredible milestone — 17 million pounds of food rescued since our launch in November 2020. This is the equivalent of 14 million meals provided to individuals facing food insecurity.
In 2025 alone, we rescued 5.4 million pounds of food thanks to our dedicated network of
- 606 food donors.
- 905 volunteers.
- 268 partner agencies.
With continued support, we are fueling a future where good food feeds people, not landfills.
Powered By Friends & Neighbors
In 2025, 905 dedicated volunteers completed over 21,046 rescues. These friends and neighbors come to us because they don’t want to see people go hungry. They come because they are appalled to see millions of pounds of good food thrown into landfills to rot. They come because they want to be part of the solution.
Supported by Donors
In 2025, we received more than $2.9 million in contributions through:
- Board and individual donations.
- Corporate, organization and foundation donations.
- Government grants.
Innovation in Action
We’re constantly on the lookout for new ways to connect surplus food with the people who need it most.
Responding in Real Time
In November, the government shutdown halted SNAP benefits. Tens of thousands of families in our communities were suddenly unable to afford even basic groceries, and our partners saw a big increase in the need for food assistance.
Inspectors were furloughed, meaning a lot of good food was going to landfills for lack of clearance. In just one of many examples, our team stepped in to save a truckload of bananas and get them to pantries around the city.
2025 Highlights
Expanding Our Fleet
Thanks to the generosity of our volunteer community, we matched an Ohio EPA grant that enabled us to add a refrigerated truck to our fleet.
Expanding the Last Mile Market
We expanded our successful Last Mile Market to Price Hill and the Villages of Roll Hill with the generous support of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Impact 100. All are welcome to our weekly markets, where we serve neighborhoods with limited food access and no local pantries to serve them regularly.
Expanding Local Programs
In 2025 we distributed more than 10,000 grab-and-go, single serving containers—repackaged from large trays of food from commercial kitchens. Our Last Mile On-the-Go repack program is a partnership with Easterseals Redwood and supported by the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation.
Solving the Logistics of Hunger
Together, we—staff, volunteers,
food donors, non-profit agencies
—are building a better city, one with
fewer hungry people.
Are you ready to #GoTheExtraMile?
