Business & Tech

Encinitas Teens' Nonprofit Recognized by White House

Donate Don't Dump has become a certifying organization for the President's Volunteer Service Award.

An organization created by two Encinitas sisters has caught the attention of the White House.

Donate Don’t Dump—a nonprofit that encourages grocery stores and food companies to donate their surplus or short dated products to food banks instead of throwing it out—has become a certifying organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Related: Encinitas Teens’ Nonprofit Puts Food in Hands of Hungry Instead of Landfills

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The national program recognizes Americans who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service, according to a release from Donate Don’t Dump.

As part of the program, Donate Don't Dump is approved to track volunteer hours and distribute the President's Volunteer Service Award, according to the award site. 

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Encinitas teenage sisters Camille and Gabrielle Posard created Donate Don't Dump three years ago.Gabrielle, then 12, doodled on a napkin, a bent fork, spoon, and knife in the shape of a recycling symbol to promote food rescue. She was shocked to see struggling active military families lined up at charity food distributions, while vast amounts of good food is waste in this country, the release stated.

Patch recognized the sisters in 2011 for being some of the top young leaders in San Diego County.

Related: 30 Under 30 San Diego County Leader No. 12: The Posards.

—Patch editor Marlena Medford contributed to this report.


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