Share a Meal

Share your meal—a simple act of kindness that can transform lives. In Santa Clara alone, over 9,000 people experience homelessness, many unsure where their next meal will come from. By sharing our leftovers, we can directly impact those in need, turning our everyday routines into opportunities for compassion and generosity.

Share a Meal! Every year, Americans waste nearly 40% of their food—that’s about 119 billion pounds of food thrown away while over 582,000 people in the U.S. experience homelessness on any given night. Food waste is not just an environmental concern; it’s a human one. What if we could turn our everyday meals into an opportunity to help those in need?

A Business Traveler’s Simple Yet Impactful Habit

Jason Calhoun, a frequent business traveler, I met when we worked together in Santa Clara, CA, found a way to make his travels more meaningful. Instead of wasting leftovers from his meals, he proactively planned to share. When ordering dinner at a restaurant, Jason would request to-go containers with his meal, immediately setting aside half before eating. After dinner, he would walk to a nearby homeless encampment and personally deliver the meal to someone in need.

I met Jason, when we worked together in Santa Clara, where the homeless population is well over 9,000. For Jason, this small habit transformed his travel experience. What started as a simple way to avoid food waste became a powerful act of kindness, connecting him to people who desperately needed a warm meal. His leftovers weren’t just food—they were hope, care, and dignity wrapped in a takeout container.

The Reality: Why This Matters More Than Ever

  • Over 9,000 people are homeless in Santa Clara alone.
  • 582,000+ people in the U.S. experience homelessness every night.
  • $218 billion worth of food is wasted annually in the U.S.
  • 1 in 8 Americans struggles with food insecurity.

By taking small steps, like sharing our meals, we reduce food waste and help those in need.

How You Can Start Sharing Your Meals

1. Plan with Purpose

  • When dining out, ask for a to-go container at the beginning of your meal.
  • Portion out half of your meal before you start eating.
  • If you’re on a diet or not finishing your meal, consider setting aside food with the intent to share.

2. Identify Where to Donate

  • Local shelters and food banks welcome donated meals (check guidelines).
  • Direct giving: If safe and appropriate, hand-deliver meals to those in need.
  • Community fridges: Many cities have public fridges for food donations.

3. Encourage Others to Join You

  • Share your experience on social media to inspire friends.
  • Encourage restaurants to donate leftover food.
  • Support organizations working to fight food insecurity.

Beyond Leftovers: Expanding the Impact

Food-sharing doesn’t have to be limited to restaurant leftovers. You can:

  • Cook an extra portion at home and share it with someone in need.
  • Organize a meal prep day with friends or coworkers to distribute meals.
  • Support food rescue programs that repurpose surplus food.

One Small Act, Big Impact

Jason’s experience proves that a simple, intentional habit can make a difference. Whether you travel for work, dine out frequently, or simply have extra food at home, sharing your meal is a small action with profound effects.

Let’s turn our good fortune into a blessing for others. Start today—share your meal, change a life.

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