Charity rescues food at WM Phoenix Open for those less fortunate
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — A nonprofit is bridging the gap between leftover food at the WM Phoenix Open and hunger.
The choices of food and the amount of food consumed during tournament week are mind-boggling. We are talking about almost 2 tons of shrimp, 144,000 chicken wings, 26,000 flatiron steaks and more. For Waste Not-Arizona, a charity that rescues leftover food from the Valley’s biggest public events, their work really begins after the sun goes down. “M Culinary picks up that food, and brings it to their commissary. They are the caterer for the Open. And we go get all of it after all the festivities are over. After everyone has gone home and we distribute that to several nonprofits throughout the Valley. None of it goes to waste. None of it spoils or anything like that. This food is gorgeous. This food is fresh and it gets to people that need it,” explained Hillary Bryant, the executive director of Waste Not.
Every night of the tournament, Waste Not trucks arrive at the TPC Scottsdale and rescue thousands of pounds of food. They’ve been doing it since 2014 and bringing it to places that feed the hungry, like St. Vincent de Paul. “During tournament week, it allows our St. Vincent de Paul kitchens to put out some really gourmet food for all of our guests. So that food gets to go out to our five dining rooms and 11 shelters throughout Maricopa County,” Danielle McMahon, associate chief operations officer at St. Vincent de Paul, said.
Last year, Waste Not rescued and distributed over 9 tons of food from the tournament. It’s St. Vincent de Paul’s and other food providers’ built-in logistics that help get those meals to the people who need it the most. “You can’t be successful in life if you are hungry,” explained McMahon. “So, St. Vincent de Paul being able to provide someone that hot meal, not only is it nourishment for your body, but we hope that it is nourishment for their soul. So they can feel loved by receiving a warm meal from a friendly volunteer in a safe, dignified space. Hopefully, through the WM Phoenix Open, people can realize that yes, they are having fun, but they are helping make the lives of our folks here in Arizona better.”
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