Volunteering His Time Experience And Hope
For nearly four decades, William worked as a hospital nurse: in the emergency room, ICU, neonatal unit even obstetrics, delivering 42 babies over the years. Born in Wyoming, he spent his youth moving around the United States with his family as they followed his father, a railroad construction engineer, wherever he was sent for work. In college, William fell in love and, after graduating with his bachelor of science in nursing, moved with his new wife to New Mexico and started a family.
Once their daughters were out of the house, William and his wife moved to Las Vegas. In 2012, his wife was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor, and William retired to take care of her full-time. She died within the year. In 2014, he moved to Moorcroft, Wyoming, to care for his ailing father. Following his fathers death later that year, William found himself in a difficult place. Hed spent his lifes savings on medical bills for his wife and father, and suddenly was without a home, job, or purpose.
Its a nice way to meet people, said William. Everyone can use help sometimes. Its a privilege to get to help others, too.
If youd like to join William and help your community, please consider volunteering with us today. Especially in the months of February and March we are in need of weekday volunteers. Every hour helps bring us one step closer to ending hunger in Wyoming and nourishing our neighbors facing hunger.
A Special Thank You To Brenda Ewart
Some 26 years ago, as her youngest of three children headed into Grade 1, Richmond Hills Brenda Ewart took a part-time job as manager of the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank.
Our family attended Richmond Hill United Church where the food bank was located at the time, and the minister suggested I apply for the job, explained Ewart, stating one attraction was she could be home before her children returned from school.
But what started as a job, has become a passion and has consumed far more hours each week than originally forecast, and has pulled in her husband, Bob, as well. Although she has been paid, both have donated many volunteer hours over the years to what has become a labour of love for both.
Bob had his eyes opened and so did the kids to the need for the food bank, explained Ewart. And the volunteers have become my friends, my family. Some have volunteered longer than Ive been here! Read more.
Observations From Volunteering At A Food Bank
Chaz Miller | Apr 07, 2017
Food donation programs are one of the best ways to eliminate food waste. After all, they take edible food and feed the hungry instead of letting the food get thrown away. But as I learned a week ago, these are complex operations dependent on volunteers to do much of the heavy lifting.
I had joined my fellow board members of the Maryland Recycling Network for a volunteer shift at the Maryland Food Bank. In its 35th year of operation, this food bank is experiencing a surge in food donations. In fact, food contributions doubled from 2012 to 2015 and in 2016, the Food Bank distributed 41,000,000 meals through its 1,250 distribution partners. These partners are the local community groups that directly distribute food to individuals in their community.
All food banks rely on donations of food, time and money. Food is donated by grocery stores and other donors, with semi-trailer trucks arriving daily at the warehouse full of pallets of edible foods. After delivery, volunteers are essential for sorting and packing the food. In 2016 volunteers donated 35,000 hours of time to the Maryland Food Bank, saving that organization millions in costs. As for the food donors, they get tax deductions and lower hauling costs.
Fortunately, the amount of rejects was very small. All of the rejects were frustrating, but I understand the need to ensure that only clearly identified edible food is distributed.
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Join A Virtual Service Event
Food Bank hosts largescale Virtual Service Hours on Zoom, bringing together volunteers from across the country to join in impactful virtual service activities. These events pair virtual service with educational panel conversations on food insecurity topics with guest speakers.
Recent virtual events have included our Virtual Day of Service for MLK Day with guest speaker Reverend Rasheed Baird, and People Get Periods: A Virtual Service Hour and Conversation on Period Poverty with US Congresswoman Grace Meng.
Stay tuned for upcoming virtual events!
After a nearly two year pause of in-person volunteering due to COVID-19, we are thrilled to welcome volunteers back at our Community Kitchen & Pantry in West Harlem and our Warehouse & Distribution Center in the Bronx!
As always, the safety of our volunteers, staff, and those we proudly serve is paramount. All volunteers must agree to our COVID-19 Waiver in order to participate in-person. All volunteers must also show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and wear a mask that properly covers the nose and mouth at all in-person volunteer events.
Grab-and-Go Pantry Distribution
After a two-year pause, we are thrilled to be welcoming volunteers back to our Community Kitchen and Pantry in West Harlem!
Warehouse Repack
Repack shifts are available for groups of 15 volunteers on weekday mornings and afternoons. Please email for more information. For corporate groups, we recommend a sponsorship of $2,000.
Warehouse Repack
Want To Volunteer At A Food Bank
Food banks, food pantries, and meal programs in the Feeding America network are continuing to do what they do best – provide meals to our communities. Volunteers are critical to providing food to everyone during this difficult time.
Pledge to volunteer with your local food bank and find a volunteer opportunity near you.
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What It’s Like To Volunteer At A Food Bank
Every volunteer experience is a little different. Here are some things you might do as a volunteer:
- Sort and pack food: You can keep the shelves stocked by assembling food boxes for distribution.
- Assist at mobile pantries, drive-thru pantries, and no-contact distributions: Help your neighbors feed their families.
- Deliver meals: With many communities sheltering in place, you can help ensure our most vulnerable neighbors have the food they need while staying safe.
- Glean and garden: Volunteers collect food left in the fields after harvest or help tend the food bank or food pantry’s community garden.
- Volunteer from home: Some food banks have moved their volunteer shifts online and are asking volunteers to help fundraise or spread awareness.
Your safety is a top priority. The Feeding America network follows all Center for Disease Control and local guidelines for sanitation, hygiene, and social distancing to ensure staff and volunteers are safe. This may include masks, additional handwashing stations, gloves, reduced group sizes, and other safety precautions.
My Experience At Foodbank Singapore
Many hands make light work so I discovered while volunteering at The FoodBank Singapore.
Together with a group of over 20 volunteers, we could efficiently sort out the donations quickly, key in donations and put them away. I was amazed at how forthcoming people were in terms of volunteering and donating food items. All the volunteers were serious about helping out, no one was fixated on their mobile phones or idling about. Within three hours, we could complete sorting out the donations.
I also saw the uglier side of donations expired food items, semi-consumed food packets, food with weevils.
These tend to come from individuals who might have mistaken donation bins for rubbish bins. Thankfully, such ungracious behaviour is a small minority of donations. But it still requires time on the part of volunteers to sort them out and log them into the system. It felt like an unnecessary wastage of time and resources which could have been have been avoided if people were simply more aware of what they were putting into the bins.
Most of Singapore enjoy an abundance of food. However, there is also a proportion of people who cannot afford meals on the table.
The food which FoodBank Singapore collects, especially rice, noodles, coffee, snacks, canned food, dried goods, gets distributed to people in need. Its an eye-opener to how the system runs, both reducing food wastage and helping the less fortunate.
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Food Bank Volunteer Resume
Summary : Seeking a position in which one can assist the community or customers with efficient, attentive customer service skills, utilizing skills, and abilities, and represent the establishment with a professional appearance and enthusiasm as to promote services and products in order to increase the establishment’s profit.
Skills : Microsoft Programs, Internet Navigation.
- Insisted on making sure that none of the bread, fruits, and or vegetables spoiled.
- Removed all spoiled food and place in garbage.
- Prepared commodities for each basket.
- Notated the family size and prep the food basket accordingly.
- Addressed clients if they needed toiletries or personal hygiene products.
- Issued food basket to the receptionist.
- Checked to see if all outgoing baskets are brought back in.
- Restocked shelves, chiller and freezer.
- Made sure that the food bank is clean.
Become An Apple Corps Volunteer
An Apple Corps Volunteer is a leadership volunteer role that commits giving time consistently and regularly at the San Antonio Food Bank. Join a dedicated group of volunteers that teach, lead and mentor other volunteers. This opportunity is perfect for retirees and students that are off for the summer & holidays. **Requires prescreening and willingness to make at least a three month commitment to a regular schedule. Volunteers must be 18 years old and must be professional at all times.
To become an Apple Corps Volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Services team at 210.431.8388 or volunteer@safoodbank.org.
For questions regarding volunteering, please contact:
VOLUNTEER SERVICES
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The Inspiring Stories Of Food Bank Volunteers
We are always blown away by the incredible commitment of food bank volunteers. Faced with a year of change, face masks, and social distancing, the 28,000+ volunteers across the network have shown amazing resilience over the past year, adjusting to new ways of operating, moving to remote support, and processing unprecedented levels of donations and demand. Every day we are both inspired and humbled by the difference volunteers make, giving their time and expertise for free to help make us the best we can be.
As part of Volunteers Week, weve asked volunteers to share their stories and let us know what being a food bank volunteer means to them. Heres what they told us:
Alice, Carrickfergus Foodbank
Having lost our family home and business at the time of the financial crash, I know what it is to face crisis and to need support and come out the other side. I understand how people can feel embarrassed and sceptical about using a food bank, but so many when they come through the doors realise there is care and support. The fact that the food bank is confidential was a key factor for me.
Anonymous, Norwich Foodbank
Anonymous, North Liverpool Foodbank
What I Learnt From Volunteering At The Foodbank Singapore
763 million kg of food waste was generated in 2018 in Singapore. That is equivalent to the weight of 54,000 double-decker buses, which means one bus full of waste every week. Rice, noodles, bread were the most commonly wasted items and this indicates a problem of excess. Thankfully, we have organisations that help reduce food waste such as The FoodBank Singapore. It distributes excess goods and food donations to people who need them thus killing two birds with one stone.
FoodBanks recent call for volunteers due to the COVID-19 crisis resulting in volunteers dropping out was responded to by many groups coming forward. I saw the call for volunteers by Youth Corps Singapore and registered via volunteer.sg. Slots were taken pretty quickly and a friend was unable to get a slot. So, remember to commit early if you are interested!
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Health And Safety Precautions
We take the health and safety of our volunteers, staff, and clients seriously. Our team is taking the necessary measures to distribute food as safely as possible. We ask that anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and/or is experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms refrain from volunteering until they are fully recovered.
My Volunteer Experience At The La Food Bank
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On a bright sunny day, I started my day off volunteering at the L.A. Food Bank. I got ready for the day and headed out of my house. When I arrived at the location, the area seemed to be filled with buildings that looked like massive old factory structures. My reason to volunteer at the food bank was to satisfy my need to help others and leave a change, however it is a small difference, in someones world. This was my opportunity to make a positive impact in the world along with others who enjoy volunteering.
As I entered the food bank, there were lots of people there. The room appeared to be noisy as people waited in lines to check in with coordinators. Everybody volunteering began heading promptly to their assigned duties after checking in. I started to get excited when I realized my opportunity to encounter and work with a diverse group of people. This volunteer experience allowed me to make connections with people of different racial backgrounds, gender identities, and religions.
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Mission San Juan Farm
Job Description: In a unique partnership between the San Antonio Food Bank and the National Park Service, you can volunteer to farm in the historic Mission San Juan farm. Participate in our effort to grow food using a historic method of farming practices. Farm tasks will vary seasonally but our volunteers most frequently aid in planting, transplanting, harvesting, weeding, and mulching. When: Schedule varies, please view our volunteer shifts calendar. Shift 1: 8:30 AM 11 AMWhere: Mission San Juan FarmWho: Individuals and groups of up to 50 volunteers.
Join In The Work Of Ending Hunger In Wnc
Most mornings and afternoons are a busy time at MANNA. Volunteers gather to sort and pack the food donations that come through our doors. From bins of apples straight from the orchard to 2,000-pound totes of rice, volunteers ensure that there are always hands at the ready to pack the food for distribution to our 16 county region, including the Qualla Boundary. Volunteers also pitch in to help with special events and projects like Farmers Market Ambassadors, the National Letter Carriers Food Drive, and the Ingles Giving Tree.
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Volunteers Power The Harry Chapin Food Bank
Volunteers make it possible for the food bank to feed a quarter of a million people a month in Southwest Florida.
Volunteers sort and pack donations of food at our Fort Myers and Naples distribution centers, distribute food at mobile pantries and collect donations at food drives, to mention just a few ways they make the food banks mission possible.
To find out if your volunteer hours can be matched by your company, please contact us at or call 334-7007. If you are in need of community service hours and would like to apply as a court-mandated volunteer, .
Please note: All volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes. Weekday opportunities at Harry Chapin Food Bank warehouses have a minimum age requirement of 16. Saturday volunteering at HCFB locations have a minimum age requirement of 14, and 14-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult.
Read: Redeem Vouchers Enjoy Festive Fun & Meet Paw Patrol Find Out Where
This is where volunteers are needed to sort out the items, check for expiry dates, key in the items weight and quantity into the system, and organising them within the warehouse.
FoodBank Singapore also has family-friendly volunteer opportunities. For instance, kids between the ages of 5 and 12 can sign up for Food Bank Juniors Club to learn about reducing food wastage and getting involved in hands on activities, excursions and help out at the warehouse.
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Safety And Dress Code
Closed-toe shoes , knee-length shorts, or pants. If you are volunteering at an offsite food distribution, we encourage you to dress for the weather as the volunteer session occurs outdoors. We ask that anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and/or is experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms to refrain from volunteering until they are fully recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions Volunteering
Q: Where is the Food Bank of the Southern Tier?
Q: How do I sign up to volunteer for a shift?
Q: What is the Food Bank’s Volunteer Agreement and where do I find it?
Q: What do I do once I arrive at the main facility?
A:When you arrive at the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, a staff member will greet you at the front door, provide you with a fresh clean mask, a disposable nametag and screen you with the following COVID-19 health screening questions.
After successfully answering these questions, you can proceed up the stairs to the volunteer lounge. The production staff will give you a quick orientation with instructions for the project of the day.
Q: Can I arrive late to a volunteer shift?
A: We encourage all of volunteers to be prompt and volunteers arriving more than ten minutes after the beginning of the shift have missed the mandatory orientation and are not able to participate.
Q: Can I just show up at the facility to volunteer?
Q: Who can volunteer?
A:Anyone 6 years old and over can volunteer at our Repacks in Elmira. Anyone 15 and older can volunteer at our Mobile Food Pantries. Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult in order to volunteer.
Q: Are there any restrictions to volunteers?
Due to the nature of volunteer work, some individuals with restrictions may not be able to volunteer . Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to set up a one-on-one consultation to discuss if volunteering with the Food Bank is a good fit.
A: Please .
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