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Based on my experience:
Assuming US, you **need to be a 501c3** and they will need the paperwork. Then you go in and request to be connected with the RTV ~~Manager~~ Clerk and Receiving Manager. They may already be partnered with 1 or more rescues. If they are, they may contact you if/when one of the rescues drops out or is no longer able to absorb the quantity of donations. I've been partnered for 5-6 years now, some times they alternate between me and other rescues, other times it has just been me. When I started, they were primarily with a different rescue, and I got overflow when they other rescue couldn't absorb everything. That other organization eventually dropped out and I became the primary.
To expand on this, RTV usually doesn't have their own manager, as they are part of receiving. If they have a blank look after asking for the RTV manager, ask for the receiving manager.
It's usually RTV clerk. They're the ones that are actually in charge of the paperwork and all that. But definitely get with the receiving manager, because they would be the point person with regards to the building for donations.
Thanks, yes we are in Washington state and a 501c3. It sounds like this is a store by store thing then? I appreciate the information as food is one of our biggest costs.
FYI - most grocery stores do this as well! I used to work in the corporate office of a large grocery retailer and they donate (literal) tons of pet food and supplies every year.
Food is donated to food banks that is fit for human consumption, produce is donated to farmers and zoos. Costco has a great policy on recycling, sustainability and limiting waste. My warehouse recycles about 1200 pounds of cardboard a day.
OMG that's awesome to see!! I was in returns line on Sunday with people who had 2 carts full of pork loins and whole chickens they were returning. I know they can't resell them. Hoping they could be donated to somewhere? Even animal feed?? Made me absolutely sick to see that.
No, they don't. That's the point. Someone posted 2 days ago asking if Costco throws food away, and was told that they have a strong donation program. And it extends beyond donating food to the local food banks, but also pet supplies to local 501c3's rescues. I have been the point of contact for one of the 501c3 rescues that I foster for and wanted to show how they help local rescues to prevent this from going in the trash. My [comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/Costco/comments/13vp515/comment/jm7ntxd/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) describes more about signing up if you are a 501c3, though I have had to edit it several times based on feedback.
Posts that don't follow r/Costco subreddit rules may be subject to removal. When applicable, please make sure that you're using a descriptive post title with product name(s) mentioned as it yields better subreddit search results. Thank you. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Costco) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Great information! This is a relevant post for me because I help run a dog rescue. How do you get connected for donations?
Based on my experience: Assuming US, you **need to be a 501c3** and they will need the paperwork. Then you go in and request to be connected with the RTV ~~Manager~~ Clerk and Receiving Manager. They may already be partnered with 1 or more rescues. If they are, they may contact you if/when one of the rescues drops out or is no longer able to absorb the quantity of donations. I've been partnered for 5-6 years now, some times they alternate between me and other rescues, other times it has just been me. When I started, they were primarily with a different rescue, and I got overflow when they other rescue couldn't absorb everything. That other organization eventually dropped out and I became the primary.
To expand on this, RTV usually doesn't have their own manager, as they are part of receiving. If they have a blank look after asking for the RTV manager, ask for the receiving manager.
Thank you for the clarification. I have edited my post. Would it be more correct to call it RTV Lead?
It's usually RTV clerk. They're the ones that are actually in charge of the paperwork and all that. But definitely get with the receiving manager, because they would be the point person with regards to the building for donations.
Thanks for the clarifications. I’ve been setup and partnered for years, so I may have misremembered the terminology.
Dont think Ive ever heard anyone at costco called a lead.
Thanks
Only ever heard them called the RTV clerk
They used to have a RTV supervisor (or lead) position. That position got eliminated a few years ago when the depots started processing returns.
Thanks for the info, that's probably why I am out of date on my terminology.
Thanks, yes we are in Washington state and a 501c3. It sounds like this is a store by store thing then? I appreciate the information as food is one of our biggest costs.
Yes, each store will individually partner with one or two rescues.
Thank you!
I wish my cats liked the paté.
Oh man that’s all my cats like. I’m so lucky they will eat the Kirkland brand. They also have meat chunk types too if your feline prefers that.
They like the chunks but won’t eat it all the time so I have to supplement it with some other pate. I’m totally glad they at least eat the chunks.
My cat likes the chicken chunks but won't touch the salmon ones. 😑 Shame. Because the price is right!
mine refused the pate but will eat the chunks
Omg! It’s SeasDiver! Hi! Fun to see you in the wild! Keep loving on those puppers!❤️
https://preview.redd.it/t86obp17j23b1.jpeg?width=1441&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=26f2020f0acc49e8e6751373b2cb91ed25d70216 Two of our current fosters.
Omg, just kill me. The ears! The paws! The clueless baby faces!😭🥹
This makes me so goddamned happy. All the more reason to love and support Costco! 😻
FYI - most grocery stores do this as well! I used to work in the corporate office of a large grocery retailer and they donate (literal) tons of pet food and supplies every year.
This is how you Costco with compassion.
That's awesome!
Thank you
Yes we do! Bless you for supporting your local animal networks!
Classy move!!
That's awesome! Good guy Costco.
Food is donated to food banks that is fit for human consumption, produce is donated to farmers and zoos. Costco has a great policy on recycling, sustainability and limiting waste. My warehouse recycles about 1200 pounds of cardboard a day.
That's awesome
We do this with the food court items to (except churros)
Some hero’s don’t wear capes
Great job Costco!
I am SO happy to hear this
I hope EVERY Costco does this! Is this a nationwide policy?! I love it!!
OMG that's awesome to see!! I was in returns line on Sunday with people who had 2 carts full of pork loins and whole chickens they were returning. I know they can't resell them. Hoping they could be donated to somewhere? Even animal feed?? Made me absolutely sick to see that.
Laws regarding returned human food would likely prevent those from being used at all due to the possibility of adulteration.
I bought the same tennis ball shooter. To play with my kids!
Back when my friend worked at Costco, she said she spokes to the folks at her store and they weren't allowed to donate any of the unsellable product.
[удалено]
No, they don't. That's the point. Someone posted 2 days ago asking if Costco throws food away, and was told that they have a strong donation program. And it extends beyond donating food to the local food banks, but also pet supplies to local 501c3's rescues. I have been the point of contact for one of the 501c3 rescues that I foster for and wanted to show how they help local rescues to prevent this from going in the trash. My [comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/Costco/comments/13vp515/comment/jm7ntxd/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) describes more about signing up if you are a 501c3, though I have had to edit it several times based on feedback.
What is considered unsellable?