At Gateway to Hope Ministries in Ocala, Florida, helping others is more than a calling—it’s a commitment to the whole community, including the environment we all share.
We have a very bold recycling mission!
As the food distribution program meets urgent human needs, another quiet yet powerful mission unfolds just beneath the surface: a deeply rooted effort to recycle, repurpose, and reduce waste with heart and intention.
Our dedicated volunteers sort through towering stacks of cardboard, plastic containers, metal cans, and donated produce. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s done with care, consistency, and an unwavering belief that stewardship of the Earth is a ministry in itself.
This isn’t a one-time project or a seasonal push—it’s a daily rhythm.
From the moment deliveries arrive to the final sweep of the hall, recyclables are separated by type and stacked for proper processing.
Nothing useful is ever thrown away, if it can be recycled. Nothing.
Gateway to Hope’s Creation Care Initiative: Turning Food Waste into Sustainable Solutions
Gateway’s efforts don’t stop with bottles and boxes.
When fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, or crackers are no longer fit for human consumption, they’re not discarded—they’re repurposed.
A theological commitment to creation care.
In partnership with local farms, this nutrient-rich food is safely collected and shared as animal feed, particularly for pigs. In the heart of Ocala, Florida, Gateway to Hope Ministries pioneers a transformative initiative that bridges compassion for people with care for the planet.
For those who care about God’s creation, the present time is one of crisis, and yet it is also a time of possibility.
The Episcopal Church’s Covenant for the Care of Creation is a commitment to practice loving formation, liberating advocacy, and life-giving conservation as individuals, congregations, ministries, and dioceses.
“The pigs love the fruit
and vegetable scraps
It’s like a treat for them,
and it keeps them healthy.”
Strengthening Local Connections
Beyond environmental gains, this initiative fosters deeper ties between Gateway to Hope and the local farming community. Farmers report that the supplemental feed helps stretch their budgets—especially valuable amid rising grain prices—while providing their pigs with wholesome, varied nutrition.
One partner shared, “The pigs love the fruit and vegetable scraps—it’s like a treat for them, and it keeps them healthy.” Volunteers, too, find purpose in knowing their sorting efforts support both hungry families (through Gateway to Hope) and sustainable agriculture.
This circular model strengthens the regional food system, echoing practices seen in places like South Korea, where food waste recycling for livestock feed has become a national priority.
Nutrient-rich food is safely collected and shared as animal feed, particularly for pigs.
As part of this Creation Care initiative, Gateway to Hope now diverts approximately 600 pounds of food waste weekly — equivalent to 20 five-gallon buckets filled with expired fruits, vegetables, breads, and cereals—to nourish hungry farm pigs.
This innovative effort not only reduces landfill waste but also embodies the ministry’s mission to steward Earth’s resources while serving vulnerable communities.
Gateway to Hope volunteers roll up their sleeves to carefully inspect, sort, and pack hundreds of pounds of food scraps. The process begins with team members methodically checking expired donations—removing any moldy items, plastic packaging, or foods unsafe for animal consumption. Then comes more physical labor: hauling heavy buckets and loading them into vehicles for delivery.
No expensive machinery or high-tech solutions are needed—just human commitment, sturdy buckets, and a willingness to get hands dirty for the greater good.
Despite the manual effort involved, volunteers find the work deeply rewarding. “It’s messy but meaningful,” shares one regular volunteer. “When you know pigs are happily devouring watermelons or stale bread that would’ve otherwise rotted in a landfill, you know your sweat equity is making a difference.”
The hands-on approach also builds community, with volunteers working side-by-side and turning what could be seen as waste disposal into an act of collective stewardship.
A Circular Solution to Food Waste
This practice aligns with global efforts to address food waste, such as Las Vegas’ casino food scrap programs and Taiwan’s institutionalized pig-feeding systems.
Prevents methane emissions from decomposing landfill waste.
Reduces the environmental footprint of food production.
By diverting 600 pounds of organic waste weekly, Gateway prevents methane emissions from decomposing landfill waste and reduces the environmental footprint of food production. The effort also reflects a theological commitment to creation care. It is a testament to how old-fashioned hard work can still create cutting-edge change.
As St. Augustine once said, “He who sings prays twice”, a metaphor for how small acts, like repurposing waste, can honor divine creation.
By integrating faith with practical action, Gateway to Hope fosters a culture of responsibility, urging volunteers and donors to see environmental stewardship as an extension of their spiritual values.
“This program is a win-win,” says Gateway volunteer Jeff. “We’re feeding animals, and caring for the Earth, all while living out our call to serve others.”
A Vision for the Future
Future goals include tracking metrics like landfill diversion rates and carbon emissions saved—inspiring supporters with tangible results.
The ministry also envisions workshops on home composting or partnerships with schools to teach youth about food waste’s role in climate change.
Every bucket of scraps represents a step toward a more resilient, compassionate community—where nothing God provides goes to waste.
Join the Movement
Gateway to Hope invites others to adopt similar practices. Whether through composting, advocating for food recovery policies, or partnering with local farms, every effort counts.
“Use your gifts to serve others”… a principle that extends to protecting the planet we all share.
Gateway to Hope’s recycling mission is a shining example of how faith communities can act on their values in everyday, practical ways. By simply being consistent and committed, this congregation has built a system that serves people, animals, and the environment all at once.
Stay tuned—we’ll be adding even more behind-the-scenes photos to show how this quiet, crucial work happens every day.
Holy and merciful God,
We confess that we have failed to honor you
by rightly claiming our kinship with all your creatures.
We have walked heavily on your earth,
overused and wasted its resources,
taken for granted its beauty and abundance,
and treated its inhabitants unjustly,
holding future generations hostage to our greed.
Have mercy on us and forgive us our sin.
Renew in us the resolve to keep and conserve your earth
as you desire and intend,
with grateful and compassionate hearts,
through your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Learn more about Gateway’s initiatives at gatewaytohopeministries.com
