Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Crowe.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jasmine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Fighting hunger has always been important to me. I’ve been vested in the fight since 2013 when I first moved to Atlanta. I remember driving through downtown one day and seeing hundreds of people standing around with many eating on the ground. Something shook me to my core and I was so moved at that moment, that I knew I had to do something.
So, I created an event called Sunday Soul, where members of our homeless community could enjoy a delicious Sunday dinner, paired with some good, old school music like Patti Labelle, The Jackson Five, Al Green, the tunes meant for a perfect Sunday afternoon. I remember my first meal like it was yesterday, October 20th, 2013. It was a simple spaghetti dinner with corn, garlic bread and salad. We fed 100 people and we sang, we danced and for that moment in time people forgot about their current circumstances.
Over the years that number would grow to more than 400 people. Yet even then, I realized it wasn’t enough. I wanted more for those we served. I came up with an idea for “pop-up restaurants”. I rented chairs, tables, linens and served a five-course meal, where our guests could order from a menu. They could dine with dignity and I took this initiative all over the country to cities like New Orleans, Washington, DC and Baltimore.
One day, one of our volunteers shared a simple video on social media and that video went viral on Facebook. As I took the time to read through the thousands of comments, I noticed one recurring question: “which restaurants donated the food?” Sadly, the answer was none. But this led to my AH-HA moment I knew from working as a waitress and bartender throughout college, that restaurants had a lot of food that went to waste. From there I researched food waste and was blown away, I knew I needed to do more.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a bumpy road without a doubt. From finding customers to raising funds as black woman, to getting people to see our company as a business and not a nonprofit. There were days (many days) that I didn’t think I was on the right path because no doors were opening. Yet I believed that hunger and food waste were worth fighting for and I wanted to give it my all and that meant that I couldn’t quit.
Please tell us about Goodr.
Goodr is a sustainable food waste management company that leverages technology to reduce food waste and combat hunger. We provide an end-to-end solution for businesses seeking to reduce waste and save money by donating their surplus food to local nonprofit organizations. Our platform provides the logistics, analytics, and security for businesses to earn deductions under the PATH act in compliance with the Internal Revenue Services (IRS).
Goodr’s technology coordinates the collection and distribution of food donations. Unlike its competitors, Goodr’s blockchain-enabled platform also provides an IRS audit-friendly donation record, real-time food waste analytics, and community impact reports. Its model aims to provide a triple-win situation: improve the business’ bottom line through tax deductions, reduce greenhouse emissions from landfills, and use edible food surplus to reduce hunger.
I am most proud of the fact that we are approaching 1 million pounds of food diverted from landfills and turned into meals for those in need.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I would have to say gymnastics and track meet, I guess I just miss being a kid somedays.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Goodr.co
- Email: info@goodr.co
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/goodrco/
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/goodrco/
- Twitter: http://twitte.com/thegoodrco/
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