Why Sharing Food Matters More Than Ever

Why Sharing Food Matters More Than Ever

Amy Scarpello, Senior Director of Rescue Share

Here at La Soupe in Cincinnati, we believe food is more than just something you eat. It brings people together, shows we care, and offers comfort during hard times. When we launched our rescue program in 2015, it wasn’t just about diverting waste—it was about using our kitchen to share fresh, hot meals with local organizations serving our neighbors in need. We take surplus food that would otherwise go to waste and turn it into nutritious meals for those who need it most.

Today, this work matters more than ever. Many families in our community are struggling. About one in five people in Greater Cincinnati don’t always have enough to eat. At the same time, small nonprofits—often lifelines in their neighborhoods—are losing funding, even as the need for food assistance grows. They’re being asked to do more with less, and that’s where food rescue can make a real difference.

La Soupe’s Share Program partners with over 160 local nonprofits. These groups serve people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and personal crises. Some run after-school programs for kids, others help individuals recovering from addiction or escaping domestic violence. Many lack full kitchens or staff to prepare meals onsite.

In our kitchen, rescued food becomes something more. With care and creativity, our team—along with incredible volunteers—transforms what would have been lost into meals full of nourishment and hope. These are delivered at no cost to our partners, allowing them to focus on their core missions and help people rebuild their lives.

But the need is growing. Nonprofits across the country are being squeezed by rising costs and declining support. Food programs, in particular, are bearing the brunt—some have shuttered kitchens, laid off staff, or reduced services. With the proposed 2025 federal budget cutting The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the road ahead will be even more challenging. Programs that once relied on this lifeline are struggling to keep up.

That’s why La Soupe’s Share Program is so critical. We help ensure people still get fed, even when funding is tight. A hot, ready-to-eat meal can change someone’s whole day. For a child, it’s a moment of comfort. For someone without a home, it’s a sign that someone cares.

Our food helps partners do more. The 5000 Club, for example, used to serve dinner just once a week. Now, with our help, they offer weekend meals too. At Roll Hill Community Center—located in a neighborhood without a grocery store—our food helps them feed more kids and families each week.

High food prices, job losses, and a lack of affordable housing are making it harder for families to get by. Nonprofits are stretched thin, with more people asking for help and fewer resources to meet the need.

At La Soupe, we’re doing everything we can: cooking more meals, building new partnerships to recover food, and working to secure support to keep this program strong. We believe everyone deserves a good meal, not just when times are easy, but especially when they’re hard.

There is enough food in the world. The challenge is getting it to where it’s needed. When we share what we have, something remarkable happens—waste becomes sustenance, and strangers become neighbors. The Share Program isn’t just about food. It’s about compassion. It’s about community. It’s about making sure no one is left behind.