ORANGE PARK — It's been 35 years since Debra Smyers first found her calling to fight the battle of hunger. 

When she arrived at Morrison's Cafeteria at the Orange Park Mall at closing time, it was in that moment she saw an enormous amount of leftover food headed to the trash. This sparked an initiative that wouldn't fail to help those in need.

Waste Not Want Not has remained a pillar of hope for those in the community dealing with poverty. The nonprofit goes on food rescue missions, saving surplus food from local donors.

Their motto: When no food is wasted, no person is hungry.

"Each year, we rescue about two million pounds of food," said Executive Director Dr. Kathleen Spears.

According to the Food Research and Action Center, about one in seven households experienced food insecurity in 2023. About 47.4 million Americans lived in these households.

Spears said the largest groups that the nonprofit serves are the working poor and children. She said within the working poor, there are a plethora of single-parents, veterans and seniors who are struggling.

"It's people who are working, they're gainfully employed; they just don't make enough to make ends meet. So, they're the ones who are deciding, am I going to pay my electric bill in full or am I going to take $30 off and go buy some bologna and bread for my kids."

With the help of donors like 4Rivers Smokehouse, Chick-fil-A, Longhorn, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Starbucks and Trader Joe's, Spears said the organization is able to collect enough food for 250,000 people around 14 counties every year.

Each day, the nonprofit rescues more than 4,000 pounds to distribute to partners like Clay Kitchen, Clay County District Schools, Celebration Church, and Saved 2 Serve. Clay Kitchen and Saved 2 Serve both provide meals to unhoused individuals around the county.

"We provide them every week with more than food. Sometimes we'll have paper plates and cups, and napkins. Because they go down into the streets, under bridges, and they feed," Spears said. 

Waste Not also works to provide food to students at Title I schools such as McCrae Elementary and Orange Park High.

Waste Not began at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park, before moving to their current facility on Carnes Street in 2008.

The nonprofit hosted its anniversary fundraiser celebration on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Azaleana Manor in Orange Park. Corks and Forks: The Jade Edition was attended by many who have helped make the mission what it is, including Smyers herself. It was hosted by Barbie T, from the Dex and Barbie T Show on 95.1 WAPE-FM.

Guests enjoyed pictures on the green carpet, music, mingling, and live and silent auctions, featuring donations from notable organizations and donors such as Sheriff Michelle Cook, Jax Boat Rentals, Main Event, Jacksonville Zoo, Nordstrom's, Cox Media Group, Dillard's and more. 

Spears and Smyers presented four Jade Awards to representatives from Publix in Argyle Village, Chick-fil-A on Wells Road, Trader Joe's in Mandarin and the Paul E. and Klare N. Reinhold Foundation, for their dedicated, long-running partnerships with the nonprofit.

The Publix in Argyle was the first store that Smyers successfully contacted for food donations back in 1990.  The store has been providing substantial food every year since.

Spears said the owner and operator of the Chick-fil-A on Wells Road wrote a grant two years ago for $100,000.

And although the Trader Joe's location has only been open for eight years, the store has donated to the nonprofit almost exclusively. 

"They give us that really critical, vital stuff that we need. That our unhoused neighbors, that our working poor, need. Things like milk, eggs and dairy. That really expensive stuff is a challenge for people who are living on low incomes."

Peggy Bryan accepted the award on behalf of the Reinhold Foundation. As a board member emeritus, Spears stated that Bryan was instrumental in helping to strengthen the organization's foundation.

Following the awards, retired Jaguar players Tom McManus, Aaron Beasley, and Donovin Darius made an appearance and spoke about their personal journeys in overcoming adversity. 

All three players also joked with the crowd, discussing some of their favorite plays. Following the event, McManus took the party outside, providing live entertainment with his band Dad Bodz.

Spears said the entire event raised over $60,000. 

A surprise donation at the end also brought tears to her eyes. Carpet Man owner Chris Jackson and his wife, Kimberly, offered $12,500 on the spot.

Growing up, both Kimberly and Chris dealt with food insecurity. Moved by the Smyers story and the message, Spears said they wanted the organization to thrive.

"That just goes to show you that food insecurity impacts so many more people than you might believe," Spears said. 

Looking to the future, Spears said she hopes to use the funds raised to elevate the nonprofit to even greater heights. She said community members can expect renovations to the distribution center, or "Castle", accommodating more space. 

Plans for that are already in the works, as an anonymous donor gave $125,000 earlier this year, along with a $35,000 donation from Baptist Health.

 On Nov. 8, Waste Not will be holding a food distribution at James Weldon Park. On November 9, the nonprofit will also host its Tee'd Up to End Hunger Golf Outing, to which Beasley and Darius will be attending. 

Spears said that the mission is never complete.

"As long as the need for food continues to increase, our impact will increase."

Those interested in volunteering or getting involved should visit wastenotflorida.org.