When Bread Break volunteers walk through an agency’s door laden with coolers, a world of possibilities unfolds. These dedicated volunteers ensure that edible food doesn't end up in the landfill but instead finds its way to those in need. With an average of 275,000 pounds of food redistributed annually since 2011, Bread Break is making a significant impact on the Sioux Falls community.

"Bread Break: Feeding the Hungry and Saving the Landfill"

Collecting and Distributing Edible Food

Bread Break, a food-harvesting mission started over a dozen years ago by Messiah New Hope Lutheran Church, collects prepared food and produce from various locations such as bakeries, hospitals, and grocery stores. Volunteers go out in one of the three vans every day to pick up these donated items and distribute them to ministry centers. For example, Doug Dreke picks up sweet treats from Flyboy Donuts and tries to deliver them by 10 a.m. to provide a snack along with coffee. This ensures that the donated foodstuffs, ranging from bread to beets and cupcakes to casseroles, reach those who need it the most while helping the recipient agencies stretch their operating budgets.Another recipient agency that benefits greatly from Bread Break is the Veterans Service Center. Director Ben Klusmann welcomes the deliveries at least twice a week. They receive a variety of items including vegetables, fruit, pans of bread, and more. This helps the center provide food, showers, laundry facilities, and donated clothing to veterans and homeless veterans, enabling them to reintegrate into the community.

Keeping Food out of the Landfill

By redistributing more than 2.5 million pounds of edible food annually, Bread Break is playing a crucial role in extending the lifespan of the landfill. As Waste-characterization studies show, 24 percent of all materials going into the landfill are organics. By diverting as much organics as possible, the landfill's life is prolonged, which benefits all Sioux Falls residents. For instance, Donny Kuper, superintendent at the Sioux Falls Regional Landfill, emphasizes the importance of reducing landfill waste. He states that "As much organics as we can divert from the landfill, the better."The Baumans, founders of Bread Break, were inspired by a similar organization in New York City and modeled the local program after it. With startup costs covered by a $60,000 grant from the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development and other financial support from the Jerstad Foundation, Bread Break has grown to have more than 50 volunteers and three vans for pickups and deliveries, stopping at about 60 locations.

Partnerships and Impact

Pomegranate Market has a long-standing partnership with Bread Break, focusing its efforts on reducing food waste. It donates produce on a regular basis, especially during the summer when tomatoes and greens are more plentiful. The market also occasionally donates proteins. This partnership has continued for more than 12 years, and Matthew McFarland, the general manager, recognizes the importance of being a "spoke in the wheel" of a larger effort.Bread Break's impact is not limited to the recipient agencies. It also touches the lives of business owners and taxpayers. Board member John Nordlie emphasizes that they save taxpayers money and touch people outside of those directly receiving the food. There is a ripple effect as well, with a church's young people's group collecting items from Starbucks as a service project.In conclusion, Bread Break is a vital organization that is making a positive difference in the Sioux Falls community. Through their efforts, they are feeding the hungry, saving the landfill, and creating a more sustainable future.