Stories

Food Link’s mission is “working to create a more equitable food system throughout Greater Boston by rescuing and distributing high-quality, customized food to under-resourced communities and by advocating for systems change.” Since its inception in 2012, Food Link has rescued over 10,000,000 pounds of food. In 2024 alone, the organization rescued more than 1,600,000 pounds and is on track to match or surpass that number this year.

Michael Sanders, Table Games Dealer at Encore Boston Harbor, began volunteering with Food Link in 2023, driving his own car to collect food donations from local bakeries and supermarkets. Occasionally, the volume of rescued food exceeded what his car could transport, prompting him to learn how to drive the organization’s refrigerated vans.

By January 2025, Michael had earned his certification as a Van Driver for Food Link. His role moved between rescuing food from suppliers with surplus - such as supermarkets, distribution centers, and bakeries - and delivering it to Food Link’s extensive network of regional community partners.

On Michael’s first Van Driver shift, he distributed 144 gallons of milk, 400 pounds of cheese, and over 100 loaves of bread. Since then, he has helped distribute rescued root vegetables, lemons, limes, corn, cabbage, peppers, grapes, prepackaged sandwiches, and many other foods.