Giving Back Beyond the Table: Lyle Griffin Warshauer’s Work with Second Helpings Atlanta

At Henning Mediation & Arbitration Service, our mediators are known for helping people find common ground. For Lyle Griffin Warshauer, that commitment to resolution and service doesn’t stop at the mediation table—it extends into the Atlanta community in a meaningful way.

Lyle has long been involved with Second Helpings Atlanta, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing surplus food and delivering it to those in need. What began as a small, volunteer-driven effort connected to her synagogue, Temple Sinai, has grown into a large-scale operation—and Lyle has been part of that evolution for years.

“I just love what it does,” Lyle says. “You’re addressing food insecurity, which is incredibly important—but there’s also this environmental impact. You’re saving all this food that would otherwise go into a landfill. It’s a win-win.”

Second Helpings operates on a simple but powerful model: connecting food donors—like grocery stores, restaurants, and major venues—to partner organizations such as shelters and community groups. Volunteers pick up the food and deliver it, often in as little as 90 minutes. What started as a grassroots effort has grown into a sophisticated logistics network, complete with refrigerated trucks, a warehouse, and an app that allows volunteers to claim delivery routes in real time.

That spirit of service and problem-solving is something Lyle brings to her work at Henning as well. Just as she helped to coordinate solutions to get food where it’s needed most, she approaches mediation with the same focus—finding practical, efficient paths forward that serve everyone involved.

Over the years, Lyle has taken on many roles with Second Helpings, including serving on the board and as president during one of its most challenging periods—the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was a very difficult time,” she recalls. “We had to completely rethink how we operated. There were no events, so food sources changed. We couldn’t rely on volunteers in the same way, so we had to get creative by bringing in drivers, building new partnerships, and finding ways to keep food moving when people needed it most.”

Despite the challenges, that period also highlighted the organization’s impact. Through partnerships with companies like HelloFresh, Second Helpings was able to assemble and distribute meal kits to families across Atlanta, especially in areas facing food insecurity. Even when schools were closed, families could pick up meals to feed their households for an entire week.

For Lyle, some of the most meaningful moments aren’t tied to a single story, but to seeing the organization grow and evolve. She recalls the excitement of receiving one of Second Helpings’ first refrigerated vans, a milestone that symbolized how far the organization had come.

“It started as this small volunteer effort,” she says. “And now it’s this incredible operation. To see that growth, and to know you were part of it, is really special.”

What continues to motivate her is the direct impact on people’s lives. Often, the food being delivered isn’t just sustenance, it’s something new, something unexpected.

“Sometimes we’re bringing food from places like Mercedes-Benz Stadium or Truist Park,” she explains. “It’s really good food. And for some people, it’s the first time they’ve ever had something like that. That’s pretty powerful.”

Today, Lyle remains involved with Second Helpings as a member of its advisory council, continuing to support its mission as it expands across the region. And while the organization has grown, its needs remain constant; volunteers, donors, and resources are always in demand. Further, Lyle hopes to take what she has learned from SHA and do something similar in her adopted community in Western North Carolina. Certainly, the need is great there, as it is virtually everywhere.

At Henning, we’re proud to have mediators like Lyle who are not only leaders in their field, but also deeply committed to giving back. Whether she’s helping resolve complex disputes or helping deliver meals across the local community, Lyle brings the same thoughtfulness, dedication, and care to everything she does. Looking to schedule a mediation with Lyle Griffin Warshauer? Click here to book online or contact our team to get started.