Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have reached the highest levels in 3 million years, presenting a critical environmental challenge. A report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2022 highlighted that approximately one third of the food intended for human consumption in the United States is wasted, contributing to this pressing issue. When food ends up in landfills, it generates methane, a greenhouse gas that is even more potent than carbon dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified food waste as the most commonly discarded material in landfills, with municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills being the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the US, accounting for 14.5% of emissions in 2020.

Our organization has undertaken a vital initiative to address this problem. Each week, our dedicated staff, comprising of Veterans and volunteers, collect over 10,000 pounds (5 tons) of discarded items from five locations in the area. Instead of allowing this "trash" to end up in landfills, we meticulously sort through the materials, separating usable food from other waste. The meat products are utilized to feed the wolves and other canids at our sanctuary, while the produce is provided to our raccoons, skunks, pigs, and parrots.

According to a report by BioCycle (2013), every dry ton of food waste decomposes and produces approximately 65 kg of methane (CH4). Over the course of the past ten years, our participation in this initiative has resulted in the diversion of over 500,000 pounds (250 tons) of organic material from landfills, sparing the environment from significant harm. Through our Landfill Diversion Program, our organization has successfully prevented 16,250 kg of methane emissions from polluting the local area, simultaneously repurposing the organic material to provide sustenance for the 500+ animals rescued by our sanctuary.

To support our endeavors, we have attracted various forms of support, both financial and in-kind. Our organization compensates our Veteran staff members, who collect and sort through the discarded products. This amounts to 18 hours of work per week from our Veteran staff, totaling 936 hours annually. Furthermore, four committed volunteers, who have been with us for a significant period, contribute their time by participating in the collection and sorting process for this program. Together, they provide 24 in-kind hours per week, which accumulates to 1,248 in-kind hours annually.

However, to ensure the sustained success of our campaign, we require funding to purchase and maintain the numerous barrels used to pick up and store the food. Each year, we need to replace 50-70 barrels that have incurred damage and are no longer usable due to wear-and-tear. The cost to replace each barrel is approximately $x, resulting in a total expenditure of $x per year for the replacement of 50-70 barrels. Your Foundation has graciously offered a grant of $x, which will cover the cost of our barrel replacements in 2023. Furthermore, barrels that can no longer be used for food pickups due to damaged handles are sterilized and repurposed for rainwater collection.

The success of our initiative is measured by tracking the volume of discarded products we collect from each location on a weekly basis, averaging around 10,000 pounds (5 tons) per week. Every pound of organic material diverted from landfills represents a tangible success, as it translates to diverting 0.0325 kg of methane emissions and providing a nutritious meal for animals who have endured previous trauma and neglect before their rescue.

Our mission is to provide permanent sanctuary to rescued wolves, wolfdogs, foxes, coyotes, parrots, pigs, horses, and dogs. Additionally, we run a work therapy program, which supports disabled veterans suffering from war-related trauma. These veterans work alongside similarly traumatized animals residing at our sanctuary, fostering a unique and immensely therapeutic bond between the two species. Employment serves as a transitional period for the veterans, allowing them to regain confidence and develop valuable skills for future permanent employment. Our veterans also participate in our program where they venture into the wilderness to protect wild wolves.

In the event that we do not receive the full amount of our requested grant, we will proceed by replacing as many barrels as possible. We will continue operating our Landfill Diversion Program using the working barrels at our disposal. Additionally, we will actively seek additional funding to replace the remaining damaged barrels promptly, enabling us to maximize our repurposing of food waste. Our rescued animals are constantly in need of sustenance, and our exceptional staff is committed to providing them with as much support as possible through this program.