Convenience and accessibility to food is a right, not a privilege. That’s why we’re mobilizing volunteers through the 412 Food Rescue app to deliver food directly to the doorstep of isolated neighbors lacking transportation, physical mobility, and relational support.
Home Delivery
We're on a mission to make healthy food convenient and accessible to all.
Here’s how it works:
412 Food Rescue receives referrals from our nonprofit partners identifying individuals in need of nutrition assistance. We then dispatch qualified volunteers, called Food Rescue Heroes, to pick-up prepared food boxes from the nonprofit and deliver to several households in one trip. Home Deliveries appear within the 412 Food Rescue app just as traditional food rescues do, but are indicated by a house icon and include detailed route information.
Get involved:
Volunteers interested in delivering food directly should download the 412 Food Rescue app. A free, quick, and secure background check must be completed in app before delivering to a private residence.
Nonprofit organizations interested in partnering with 412 Food Rescue to serve home-bound individuals can direct inquiries to Josh Weiland, josh@412foodrescue.org.
Individuals in need of food should contact Pennsylvania 211 to be matched with available services in your area. Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211.
FAQs
Why do I need a background check?
Background checks provide a necessary safety precaution to protect the folks who receive food deliveries at their residence.
Can I still do food rescues without a background check?
Yes! Only Home Deliveries require a background check. Traditional rescues that are delivered to nonprofits can still be performed without a background check.
What if I already completed a PATCH background check?
Yes, a new background check is needed from within the app, so that we can properly streamline this service. We appreciate your commitment to helping in the past! Just like with PATCH, this background check is free, easy to complete, and only takes a few minutes.
What if I have another background check (i.e. for school)?
Yes, we still need you to complete the background check process in the app. Good news, though: this background check is free, easy to complete, and only takes a few minutes.
How do I get a background check?
In the app’s main navigation, go to Home Deliveries, then tap “Get a free background check.” This launches a window into Checkr’s system, where you fill out the form and submit your information. Some of the information, like phone number, email, and zip code, is pre-filled out from your 412 Food Rescue profile, so please review all information for accuracy before you submit the form to Checkr. After submitting your information, Checkr asks you to read and accept a Summary of Your Rights and a Disclosure, and submit an electronic signature. If you have any questions, contact Support.
Does it cost anything?
No, background checks are totally free for our volunteers.
Can I do Home Deliveries immediately?
Yes, as soon as you pass your background check, you will be able to claim and complete Home Deliveries in the app. Most background check reports are returned in a matter of minutes, but some may take several business days.
What would cause me to not pass my background check?
In order to protect food recipients, volunteers whose background check report includes violent crimes or sexual offenses may not be permitted to participate in Home Deliveries. All information included on your background check report comes from public records. If you have any questions, contact Support.
What data do I need to provide for the background check?
Checkr, a third-party service that fulfills our background checks, requires a Social Security Number (SSN), full name, date of birth, zip code, phone number, and email address. 412 Food Rescue does not store this information or use it in any way. More information can be found on Checkr’s site.
What does 412 Food Rescue do with my data?
Your SSN, and the details of your background check report, will not be stored by 412 Food Rescue. It will not be viewable to 412 Food Rescue staff. It will be passed via API to Checkr, a third-party service that fulfills our background checks. Your information will be truncated and encrypted in their protected databases. More information can be found on Checkr’s site.
What if I don’t want to share my Social Security number (SSN)? What if I don’t have a SSN?
No worries, you can still do food rescues! Background checks are only required in order to complete Home Deliveries.
