Rescue, Repack, Redistribute

Rescue, Repack, Redistribute: The Power Behind Last Mile’s Newest Program

Imagine huge trays of pulled pork from a stadium after a game, mashed potatoes from a local hospital or roasted chicken from a school cafeteria. Large quantities of prepared food like these can be difficult to redistribute – who can use a giant tray of hot cooked food while it’s still fresh? Last Mile rescues large trays of prepared food just like these for our Repack Program. Through our partnership with the Community Hub at Easterseals Redwood, we rescue large trays of prepared food and repackage them into smaller, grab-and-go containers for those in need.

Launched in January 2025 with food donations from St. Elizabeth Hospital and volunteers from Easterseals Redwood, the program has already rescued and repacked over 500 grab-and-go meals, diverting high-quality food from landfills and into the hands of those who need it most.

At a time when 60% of food-insecure households report barriers to cooking meals at home, such as lack of kitchen access, time or resources, Last Mile On the Go offers relief. Our core mission remains the same: ensuring good food never goes to waste. Volunteers use our app to pick up surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, and stadiums and deliver it to nonprofits in the area that are serving the food insecure. 

How the Repack Program Works

Every Friday morning, a Last Mile Food Rescue volunteer picks up surplus food from St. Elizabeth Hospital and delivers it to the Community Hub program at Easterseals Redwood. This unique program provides adults with disabilities the opportunity to gain valuable job skills while giving back to their community. Around 10 participants take part in repackaging fresh, individual grab-and-go meals and sides. This effort fosters a sense of purpose and confidence among the group.

In addition to repackaging food, participants in the Life Skills Computer Room have taken on the task of creating package labels for the meals. Recently, when a printing issue arose, one participant took the initiative to watch YouTube tutorials and troubleshoot the problem himself. He said it was a moment of problem-solving that filled him with pride. As Lisha Stross, Director of Adult Disability Services KY at Easterseals Redwood put it, 

“It’s been amazing to see how this program builds confidence while also giving participants the chance to make a difference in the community and develop valuable vocational skills.” 

Once the meals are packed, a Last Mile Food Rescue volunteer picks them up and delivers them to Be Concerned, a food pantry in Northern Kentucky. This ensures that high-quality, nutritious meals are distributed to individuals and families facing food insecurity on the same day.

Reducing Food Waste & Fighting Hunger — One Meal at a Time

The Repack Program is made possible through the generous support of the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, which enables us to scale our efforts and create meaningful change in the community. The funding they provided allowed us to upgrade the repack facility with commercial-grade refrigerators, stainless steel tables, and additional shelving. These enhancements allow us to safely store and repackage large amounts of prepared food while ensuring meals remain fresh and safe for redistribution. 

Last Mile looks forward to expanding to additional locations in the future.  Through rescuing, repackaging, and redistributing surplus food, we are fighting food waste, feeding families, and building a stronger community—one meal at a time. 

Want to get involved? Sign up on the app and claim your first rescue today or donate financially to help fuel our mission!