Food banks are facing an increasingly difficult holiday season.
According to Oregon Food Bank’s 2026 State of Hunger Report, visits to food assistance sites across Oregon and Southwest Washington have increased 51% in just two years, including a 15% increase in the most recent year. The network recorded 2.9 million visits last year alone.
And the problem isn’t limited to Oregon. A national study from the Urban Institute found that food insecurity among working-age adults in moderate-income families increased from 30.6% in 2024 to 34.2% in 2025.
These aren’t necessarily low-income households, either. The study includes families earning between roughly $64,000 and $129,000 a year for a family of four, suggesting that the challenge of putting food on the table is reaching well beyond those traditionally considered financially vulnerable.
Of course, restaurant operators are facing their own financial pressures. And while many would love to do something charitable this holiday season, finding the time and money can be difficult.
But giving back doesn’t necessarily require a fundraiser, a big donation, or another event on an already crowded calendar.
In fact, one of the most useful things your restaurant can give might already be sitting in your walk-in.
And some of the people who could benefit most from your generosity might be working right beside you.
The Need Is Especially Great This Year
Food banks are facing an increasingly difficult holiday season.
According to Feeding America’s September 2026 research, six in ten people surveyed who had experienced hunger or received charitable food assistance said they didn’t feel financially stable. Nearly half reported delaying payments on bills like rent or medical expenses to afford groceries.
With food prices remaining high and changes to federal nutrition assistance programs creating additional uncertainty, organizations that help feed struggling families are preparing for sustained demand.
That’s a difficult reality for communities across the country.
But restaurants are in a unique position to help.
After all, feeding people is what restaurants do. And while feeding paying customers and providing meals to families facing food insecurity are very different operations, they share something important: the food, equipment, and professional expertise needed to prepare safe, nutritious meals.
The challenge is connecting those resources with the people who need them.
Fortunately, there are organizations that make that easier than you might think.
Your Walk-In Might Be Full of Opportunities to Help
Every restaurant deals with surplus food. But getting that food into the hands of people who need it isn’t always straightforward.
Fortunately, there are organizations that will come pick it up for you.
That’s exactly what food rescue organizations do.
Feeding America’s MealConnect is a free platform that connects businesses with local nonprofit food recovery partners. Restaurants can post information about their surplus food, and participating organizations can arrange pickups based on their availability.
That means a restaurant with extra ingredients or safely stored prepared food doesn’t necessarily need to find a food pantry, organize transportation, or manage distribution.
The food rescue organization handles much of that work.
There are a few important considerations. Food must meet applicable safety requirements, and not every organization can accept every type or quantity of donation. Food that’s been served to customers, improperly stored, or otherwise unsafe isn’t suitable for donation.
But unserved, properly handled surplus food may be another story.
And for restaurants that regularly have extra food, establishing a recurring relationship with a local food rescue organization can make donating part of the normal routine rather than another complicated project.
What About Liability? And Are There Tax Benefits?
Two of the biggest questions restaurant operators have about donating food are understandable.
What happens if someone gets sick? And can the restaurant deduct the donation?
Fortunately, there are some encouraging answers.
The federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act provides liability protections for businesses that donate qualifying food in good faith.
The law, originally enacted in 1996 and expanded through the Food Donation Improvement Act in 2023, also provides protections for certain direct donations from restaurants and other qualified businesses to people in need.
Those protections aren’t unconditional. Food safety laws still apply, and the federal protections don’t cover gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
But the legislation was specifically designed to remove a significant barrier that might otherwise discourage businesses from donating safe food.
There may also be financial benefits.
The IRS allows enhanced charitable deductions for certain qualifying donations of wholesome food inventory to eligible organizations. The requirements can be complicated, and the deduction depends on the nature of the food and the donation.
It’s worth reviewing the IRS guidelines with your accountant to understand what your restaurant might qualify for.
Of course, the primary reason to donate food is to help feed people. But reduced waste, potentially lower disposal costs, and possible tax benefits are welcome additions.
Doing something good for your community doesn’t have to be bad for your business.
Don’t Forget About the People Who Feed Everyone Else
Giving back to your community is important.
But there’s another group worth thinking about during the holidays: the people working in your restaurant.
Hospitality employees spend their careers making celebrations possible for other people. They prepare holiday dinners, serve family gatherings, work long nights, and often give up some of their own holiday time to help customers enjoy theirs.
And restaurant workers aren’t immune to the financial challenges affecting everyone else.
An unexpected medical bill, a family emergency, or a sudden housing problem can turn an already difficult season into a crisis.
Fortunately, there are organizations dedicated specifically to helping hospitality workers through those situations.
The Southern Smoke Foundation provides emergency financial assistance to eligible food and beverage workers nationwide.
Its grants can help cover expenses such as housing, utilities, medical care, and other essential needs following a qualifying crisis. Southern Smoke also operates Behind You, a mental health support program offering counseling in participating states.
Another organization, CORE, provides financial relief to eligible food and beverage employees with dependent children who experience qualifying circumstances such as serious illness, injury, or a natural disaster.
Both organizations provide ways for restaurant operators to support their industry through donations and partnerships.
But operators can help even if they don’t have money available to contribute.
Simply making employees aware of these resources can be valuable.
A restaurant owner or manager doesn’t need to know every detail of an employee’s personal finances to recognize that someone might be going through a difficult time.
Sometimes helping starts with making sure people know where support is available.
And for larger restaurant groups interested in establishing their own employee assistance programs, CORE now offers a managed employee relief fund service that handles applications, eligibility reviews, and grant distribution.
It’s an interesting option for operators who want to help employees through emergencies without trying to manage every aspect of the program themselves.
A Little Generosity Can Go a Long Way
Of course, donating food and supporting relief organizations aren’t the only ways restaurants can give back.
Some restaurants invite customers to round up their checks for a local nonprofit. Others designate a portion of sales from a particular menu item to a charitable cause.
Some host food drives or organize volunteer opportunities for employees who want to participate.
And others simply find ways to make the holidays a little easier for their own teams. Maybe it’s a staff meal, a helpful resource, or a little extra time with family…
The important thing is finding a way to contribute that makes sense for your business, your employees, and your community.
Where Can Your Restaurant Donate Surplus Food?
If you’re interested in donating food but don’t know where to begin, there are organizations across the country that can help connect restaurants with local hunger-relief programs.
Here are a few starting points in some of the country’s major restaurant markets.
Food rescue organizations serving local restaurant markets. Contact partners to confirm what food they accept and whether pickup is available.
| Market | Food Rescue Organizations |
|---|---|
| Portland |
Urban Gleaners — Business food donations and pickups.
Bridge 13 — Restaurant surplus pickup.
|
| Seattle | Food Lifeline — Food industry donation coordination. |
| Austin | Keep Austin Fed — Free food rescue pickups. |
| Houston | Second Servings — Scheduled or as-needed food rescue. |
| Denver | We Don’t Waste — Free food recovery pickups. |
| New York City |
City Harvest — Food donations from businesses.
Rescuing Leftover Cuisine — Food donation pickups.
|
| San Francisco | Food Runners / ExtraFood — Prepared and perishable food pickup. |
| Los Angeles | LA Regional Food Bank — Extra Helpings — Food rescue partnerships. |
| Dallas–Fort Worth | MealConnect — Find local food recovery partners. |
Outside these cities? Start with Feeding America’s MealConnect.
Outside these areas? MealConnect can help you explore food donation partnerships in your community.
Contact organizations ahead of time to confirm what they accept, whether they can arrange a pickup, and what food safety and packaging requirements apply.
GivingTuesday Is December 1. Why Not Start Now?
This year, GivingTuesday falls on December 1. And participating doesn’t have to mean organizing a charity dinner or launching an elaborate promotion.
It could be as simple as:
- Contacting a local food rescue organization about recurring pickups.
- Sharing information about Southern Smoke and CORE with your team.
- Inviting customers to support a local cause.
Running a restaurant is difficult enough without turning generosity into another obligation.
This season, giving back doesn’t have to mean giving more than you can afford. It might just mean finding a little more good in what you already have.