One Generation Away

Jeremy C. Park interviews Chris Whitney, Founder and CEO of One Generation Away, a nonprofit organization that has grown significantly over the last ten years to become a major provider of food assistance and disaster relief across multiple states. The organization's signature mobile food pantry events on Saturday mornings serve hundreds of families through volunteer efforts, combining food distribution with prayer support in a family-friendly environment. Chris discusses the organization's response to the government shutdown, including plans for providing food boxes to furloughed workers and SNAP recipients, while emphasizing the importance of community involvement and financial contributions to address the urgent hunger needs. Summary Nonprofit's Growth and Mission Impact - Chris Whitney, Founder and CEO of One Generation Away, shares how the nonprofit organization began in 2013 with a mission to provide food and dignity to those in need. Whitney explains how the organization has grown from a $1 million operation to a $33 million enterprise over ten years, serving multiple states and providing food assistance and disaster relief. He emphasizes the importance of volunteerism and agility in their operations, with a vision to feed and pray with a million people on a Saturday morning. Mobile Food Pantry Volunteer Program - Chris explains how the organization conducts mobile food pantries on Saturday mornings, where a semi-truck delivers 20,000-30,000 pounds of food, which volunteers then bag and distribute to up to 300 families in a 3-4 hour window. The process includes offering prayer support to recipients without proselytizing, and the events are designed to be family-friendly. Chris emphasizes that the organization relies on volunteers and describes how the experience is life-changing for both recipients and volunteers alike. Government Shutdown Impact and Support - Jeremy and Chris Whitney discuss the impact of the government shutdown on federal workers and SNAP recipients. Chris explains that his organization is providing food boxes for furloughed workers and preparing to support families affected by the cutoff of SNAP benefits. He emphasizes the personal impact of the situation, highlighting how it affects individuals and families he knows personally. Both Jeremy and Chris stress the importance of community involvement and support in addressing this crisis. Addressing Hunger Amid Cuts - Chris explains that his organization, which relies on individual donors and corporations rather than federal grants, needs to use its reserves to respond to immediate hunger needs due to SNAP benefit cuts and furloughed workers. He emphasizes the urgency of the situation, comparing it to natural disasters, and committing the organization to helping feed people in 10 counties. Chris encourages the community to get involved in addressing hunger, promising recognition for those who contribute. Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution Plans - Chris discusses One Generation Away's plans for Thanksgiving, including giving away 3,000 turkeys, a decrease from last year's 6,000 due to budget constraints and increased turkey costs. He notes that there likely will be greater need due to reduced SNAP benefits, but expressed confidence that God would provide a way to make it work. He highlights the importance of volunteerism and financial contributions, and provides information on how to get involved through OneGenAway.com, including volunteering, donating, and reaching out for assistance or replication in other communities. Financial Impact and Food Distribution - Chris Whitney discusses the impact of financial contributions, explaining that a dollar can provide five meals and highlighting their efficient use of funds, with 96 cents going directly to their operations. He mentions their ability to purchase large quantities of food at wholesale prices, such as a 30,000-pound load for $22,000, and their focus on providing both fresh produce and dry goods to SNAP recipients and furloughed workers. Jeremy expresses appreciation for Chris's efforts and the work of his team in supporting the community. Visit https://onegenaway.com to learn more and get involved with One Generation Away.