The Fairfield County Community Foundation has awarded a $15,000 grant to a food rescue organization.  Connecticut-based Community Plates, a national food rescue organization, will use the grant to expand their program in Fairfield County. 

The organization's goal is an innovation and collaborative solution to ending hunger. 

Volunteers with the organization collect fresh food from grocery stores and restaurants who have agreed to donate, and then deliver that food.  In Danbury, the rescued food is sent to 10 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. 

Since 2011, in Fairfield County alone, Community Plates has rescued and delivered more than 6 million meals, saving 9.5 million pounds of food from landfill.  Community Plates officials say conservatively, this has an estimated value of over $10.4 million.