October 14, 2026
“The impact that a hot meal has for somebody is just…it’s like a hug. Not everyone gets one…No one deserves to go without a meal.”
How profound.
That was the response by Megan Bergstrom with American AgCredit when she was asked why they are supporters of ICT Food Rescue, which was founded by Stephanie Merritt.
It’s interesting. Before she even founded ICT Food Rescue in 2016, Stephanie observed that her former employer was throwing away surplus food and so she just started off small — trying to rescue that food and get it to people that need it.
Then she went big. And today, in addition to American Ag Credit, Wichita Brewing Co & Pizzeria, Moore’s Collision, Morris Laing Law Firm, Brian & Brian at Pistotnik Law and Wichita Roofing Pros sponsor this worthy not-for-profit that saves food that otherwise would be thrown away, delivering the same to Anchor of Hope, Carpenter Place, CityLife Church, Emporia House, Breakthrough, His Helping Hands, HumanKind, New Life Church & Outreach Center, Open Door, Passageways, Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita, Shocker Support Locker, The Lord’s Diner, The Phoenix, Treehouse, Union Rescue Mission, Wichita Family Crisis Center, Wichita Fellowship Club and Bread of Life.
And where do they get the food from? Glad you asked. It’s a helluva list, and I apologize if I left someone off the list: All things BBQ, City Bites, COOP Cafe, Crumble Cookies, Chick-Fil-A, Great Harvest Bread Co., Panera Bread, INTRUST Bank Arena, Kansas Leadership Center, Little Caesars, N&J Cafe, Omelette Pages, Papa Johns, Paradise Donuts, Wichita Collegiate Schools, Holy Cross Lutheran School, Cheddar’s, Longhorn Steakhouse, Cargill Cafe, Blue Moon Caterers, Cocoa Dolce, KFC, Lady Burrito, MamaCita’s, Mena’s Donut House, Monarch, Natural Grocers, Odd Fellow Hall, Public at the Brickyard, Tru by Hilton, Vora, Wichita Marriott, NICHE, Picasso’s Pizzeria, Bakers Haus, Reverie Coffee Roaster and Station 8 BBQ.
It really does take a village don’t it? So, how can you help?
Get a t-shirt from ICT Food Rescue. I love the back that says “Feed People Not Landfills.” Yes, it’s a $50 shirt, but it will make you feel sexy and also send a powerful message. Link in the comments.
