Mission

Rock and Wrap It Up! is a national, independent anti-poverty think tank based in New York. It is non-profit and nonpartisan, an organization devoted to developing and implementing innovative solutions to the pressing issues of hunger and poverty in America. The organization works by increasing the money supply available to fight poverty by identifying new revenue streams through food and other basic necessities obtained without cost. Rock and Wrap It Up! works as a dependable source of sound thinking concerning key poverty issues across the country. Starting its 14th year, MTV's Newsman Kurt Loder launched Rock and Wrap It Up! Labor Day Weekend 1994.

Goals and Objectives

Rock and Wrap It Up! accomplishes its goals of feeding the hungry through food recovery using agencies and volunteers. RWU! covers over 500 cities. RWU! developed the concept of ‘contractual obligation of leftover food’.  We encourage people to include a phrase in their contract or rider with caterers: “All edible leftover food to go to local soup kitchens or shelters and Rock and Wrap it Up! will arrange for the recovery.”  RWU! work with a national database of over 41,000 shelters and places of need, which we share. Since our inception in 1990, over 25,000,000 pounds have been recovered, feeding over 50,000,000 people.

All donors are protected from liability by The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act of 1996.

       
Our tactics and strategies have evolved into these major Programs, Projects and Partnerships:

Rock and Wrap it Up!

With over 150 bands now participating, our major program has gained national recognition feeding over 30,000,000 people since 1990  We collect performers’ backstage edible leftover food in every arena or stadium where they perform and bring it to local kitchens and shelters. Current and recent tours contracting food recovery with Rock and Wrap it Up! in their rider include Tom Petty, Phil and Friends, Allman Brothers Band, The Dave Matthews Band, Nickelback, Kenny Chesney, Christina Aquilera ,Martina McBride and The Indigo Girls

Rock and Wrap it Up! School Program, Snack Wrap! and College Wrap! Program

We work with students of all ages to help them learn about nutrition and to arrange for recovery of edible leftovers from their school and university cafeterias to be used by local communities to feed the hungry. Snacks are collected for latch key programs. Certificates of Appreciation signed by entertainers are issued to student participants, as well as college and graduate school reference letters. Fordham University joined 2004. Adelphi University joined in 2007. Molloy College hosted our third Hunger Symposium for high schools and colleges in March, 2007.

Rock and Wrap It Up! Anti-Poverty Congressional Initiative

Launching a Congressional Act, Rock and Wrap It Up! can help to feed millions more by having Federal buildings donate their food in their local communities. Piloted in 2006, also locates and lists kitchens, shelters and pantries in Congressional Districts and makes them available on the Representatives’ web-site. Food, clothing, toiletries, household items can be donated by constituents directly to places of need in local communities. Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson’s 8th CD in Missouri launched their list in April 2006.

Rock and Wrap It Up! Mayors Initiative

Needing a new direction to feed all those who hunger, the US Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution to fight hunger and homelessness and to use Rock and Wrap It Up! strategies to feed all those who hunger in their cities. The resolution was adopted on June 9, 2003 in Denver, CO. Our program in Dallas is featured in US Mayor 12/8/03. Presentations and implementation continue in over 150 cities nation-wide. The Sports Wrap Program is featured in US Mayor 5/23/05.  Wal-Mart is a valued partner and donates open packages of clothing.

Sports Wrap!

Launched in 2003, this program works with sports teams to help fight hunger in their team’s community by clubhouse and stadium food recovery. Detroit Tiger star lefty Pitcher Mike Maroth and his wife Brooke began the program Comerica Park. Partnering with RWU, the NY Giants, NY Jets, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks in the NFL, New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks in the NBA, Florida Panthers, New York Islanders and New York Rangers in NHL, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, NY Mets, NY Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington National of MLB donate their stadium clubhouse or concession leftovers after each home game.  Players sign certificates for the RWU School Program; Jose Reyes, David Wright and Carlos Delgado of the NY Mets. Chad Pennington of the NY Jets, Tiki Barber, Eli Manning of the NY Giants and Brian Cashman, GM of the NY Yankees have signed certificates. New programs are underway in other MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL major and minor league franchises.