Food Recovery Journal
Get to Know the WDW Team
December 4, 2016
We Don’t Waste is a small organization with a huge footprint. In 2016, we recovered and redistributed over 23 million servings of nutritious food. Nearly half of it was fresh fruits and vegetables. Every single serving that we recover must be distributed in the same day which is quite the undertaking. We also recover all the food from each of the major sporting venues in Denver and the Convention Center. We deploy a team of volunteers after every Bronco game to sweep the suites and collect the catered food. Our food is redistributed throughout Colorado and reaches as far as South Dakota. This huge undertaking is accomplished with less than ten staff members. We are a small team with a big heart and we would love for you to get to know us a little better.
Tim Sanford—Director of Operations
We are fortunate to have Tim as our Director of Operations because of his extensive experience in the non-profit community and working with diverse populations. Tim has been with We Don’t Waste for over two years.
1. What I enjoy most about working at We Don’t Waste is it allows me to help people in need on a daily basis.
2. When I am not working, I enjoy reading, hiking and spending time with my family.
3. My most memorable moment at We Don’t Waste was seeing children run for apples we delivered to Adams County Food Distribution.
4. The two people who had the greatest influence on me were my mother and father.
5. The best advice I received, mmmmm. . . anything my wife tells me.
6. Three people I would like to have dinner with are Jesus Christ, Winston Churchill and Peter the Great.
7. Something that no one knows about me is that I love naval history.
8. In five years, I see myself continuing to alleviate hunger in Colorado.
Dana Van Daele—Program Manager
Dana has been with us for 9 months and we want you to know a little about her.
1. What I enjoy most about working for We Don’t Waste is seeing and hearing the JOY in all of our recipients when we either tell them we are on our way, or when we arrive with wholesome, delicious, fresh food for them and or their clients. From the excitement in their voices, and in their eyes, to knowing I am helping feed people who are in need. It makes me excited to get up everyday and keep doing what I’m doing.
2. When I’m not working for WDW, I spend my free time volunteering for other local non-profits, playing tennis, and spending time with my family and friends.
3. My most memorable moment (there have been many) at WDW was at this years Fill A Plate For Hunger event. When I got to step back and really see how this organization has grown from starting in 2009. Realizing that my hero of a big brother left his mark on this organization, and it is now my turn to do the same.
4. Both of my loving parent’s, and my big brother have had the greatest influence on me.
5. The best advice I’ve ever received was, “This too shall pass”, and “Lead with your heart”.
6. Three people I’d like to have dinner or coffee with are: 1. Princess Diana 2 .Eckhart Tolle 3. Elizabeth Gilbert
7. Something no one knows about me is: I could eat Mexican food for every single meal…every single day.
8. In 5 years I see myself happy, loving life, and in love
Sarah Martinez—Marketing and Social Media
Sarah is our Marketing & Social Media Manager. Sarah has been with us for over two years and we want you to know a little about her.
1. The thing I enjoy the most about my work at We Don’t Waste is that I get to make a real difference in people’s lives. I love that I get to be challenged and learn something new every day while helping those in need.
2. When I am not working, I love to go on hikes/snowshoe, camping, biking and general adventuring in and outside the city. I also enjoy sewing, cooking, baking, and crafting with and for my loved ones.
3. My most memorable moment at We Don’t Waste was the first time I went on a ride along. I was surprised to see the food we collected. I loved seeing what a strong rapport the staff has with the people they interact with every day.
4. My mother has the greatest influence on me. She is always patient, and is the most positive person you will ever meet. Her sense of adventure and constant wonder of the world truly shaped who I am and how I want to live.
5. The best advice I ever received was a quote from Aristotle, “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”
6. The three people I would have dinner or coffee with are: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Beyoncé, & my niece.
7. Something about me no one would know is that I am a 6th generation Colorado native on both sides of my family.
8. In 5 years, I see myself figuring out what I want to be when I grow up.
Matthew Karm—Assistant Program Manager
Meet Matthew, our Assistant Program Manager. Matthew has been with We Don’t Waste for almost two years.
1. I enjoy most about working at We Don’t Waste is being able to interact with so many of our recipients and getting to know them helps me grow relationships with community members.
2. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my niece and nephew
3. My most memorable moment at We Don’t Waste is hearing how truly effective our work is not just for hunger but how it brings so many varieties of comfort to so many in need.
4. The greatest influence on me is my Nana who taught me compassion and showed me what a giving heart can do.
5. The best advice I received is look for the good, it is always there if you choose to see it.
6. Three people I would like to have dinner or coffee with are George Carlin, Robin Williams and Simon Le Bon.
7. Something that no one knows about me is that I enjoy creative writing, poems and muses.
8. In five years, I see more grey hair and more accomplishments in our community.
Maggie Brown—Broncos Game Volunteer Coordinator
Starting as an intern, Maggie continues to contribute to We Don’t Waste as she has joined our staff as Denver Broncos Game Volunteer Coordinator.
1. What do you enjoy most about your work at We Don’t Waste? Sharing the story of the organization’s roots and the impact that a small group of people can make on a big problem.
2. When you are not working, what do you enjoy doing? I enjoy being outdoors–reading, hiking, biking, exploring Colorado–and I truly love working in community health and helping people connect to their bodies and spirits through movement and wellness.
3. What has been your most memorable moment at We Don’t Waste? Hearing the sincere gratitude over the phone from so many of our recipient agency partners. It’s a beautiful thing to impact so many lives.
4. Who has had the greatest influence on you? My grandparents, my mom, and my best friend Laura.
5. What is the best advice you have ever received? “Nature never hurries, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu, and “Keep smiling so people wonder what you’re up to.” – My grandma (:
6. Name three people you would like to have dinner or coffee with. Doris Lessing (favorite author, RIP), President Obama, and/or George Takei.
7. What is something about you no one would know? I am an uber-nerd. I was a marching band geek all through high school, I played Dungeons & Dragons, and I love all things Star Trek.
8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Hands in the dirt, teaching and growing food for a community I love.
Drew Sanford—Transportation Staff
Drew joined We Don’t Waste as a volunteer in November 2015 and soon after asked if there was a staff position available. In 2016 Drew became a member of our transportation team and continues as a vital member.
1. I enjoy working at We Don’t Waste because I get to give back to my community. I also get to meet lots of new and interesting people around the city who I would otherwise not have met.
2. When I am not working, I enjoy rock climbing and hanging out with my friends.
3. My most memorable moment at We Don’t Waste was when a homeless man at one of the shelters came up to thank us and said we had given him the first fresh grape he had eaten in five years.
4. The greatest influence on me has been my parents who taught me an enjoyment of nature and have been great role models my entire life.
5. What is the best advice you have ever received? “it is more rewarding to have tried and failed, than to have never tried at all.”
6. Three people I would like to have dinner or coffee with are President Obama, my paternal grandfather whom I never met and the author Roald Dahl
7. People would be surprised to know that I am voracious reader of Japanese Mangi comics.
8. In five years, I see myself continuing to work in outdoor education and getting kids and adults stoked about being in the outdoors.
Arlan Preblud — Executive Director
Arlan Preblud, after volunteering at various non-profits in the community and observing their need for food for their clients founded We Don’t Waste in September of 2009 and serves as the Executive Director.
1. I enjoy working at We Don’t Waste because we have a passionate staff that reminds me daily of how important are work is in our community.
2. When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my wife, my children, my grandchildren, reading, walking my dog Finley and exploring new restaurants.
3. My most memorable moment was when I realized companies were so willing to provide excess food for distribution to community based agencies rather than throw it away.
4. The greatest influence on me has been my wife and my children who have taught me patience and how to listen with understanding.
5. What is the best advice you have ever received? “Your reach should exceed your grasp.”
6. Three people I would like to have dinner or coffee with are Franklin Roosevelt, President Obama and Winston Churchill.
7. People would be surprised to know that I enjoy classical music and reading historical non-fiction.
8. In five years, I hope that food insecurity is not the problem it is today. That would tell me we are making a difference.