What a year!
When I think about the past year, it almost feels like I was on a roller coaster ride. So many highs and a couple of lows.
The year started with the Hope Worldwide Church conducting its annual food drive which provided more than 23,000 meals. What a wonderful way to begin the year!
However, January does come with the typical decrease in volunteer help after the holidays. Fewer volunteers create a challenge in producing meals at Mercy Kitchen and sorting donations at the main warehouse. Let’s change the narrative for January 2022! Sign up for a volunteer shift at www.feedhopenow.org/volunteer.
In March, we held a volunteer captain meeting. For the first time ever, the Volunteer Captain program had more than 30 participants. Our captains are an instrumental piece to the Volunteer Program so to see this many actively engaged is inspiring! We’re so grateful for these men and women who have taken on this servant leadership role to ensure that volunteer projects run smoothly. I can’t tell you how valuable you are to our mission.
Over the summer, we had some staff changes in the Volunteer Program. There were promotions and career path changes and while we were sad to see the team change, I’m so grateful for our new team who has not missed a beat in all of the pandemic chaos.
Speaking of the pandemic, I thank each and every volunteer who has graciously abided by our ever-changing requirements at our facility. Mask on, mask off, show us your vaccination card… you rolled with the punches and ensured that we were all being safe and keeping the safety of our neighbors in mind while sorting food, packing boxes and preparing meals. It also didn’t deter you from helping out. In fact, we’re looking at logging about 90,000 volunteer hours this calendar year.
THANK YOU for your time!
In the fall, we started a Virtual Food Drive and asked all of you, our volunteers, to participate in a friendly competition and donate on behalf of one of our volunteer staff members. You did not disappoint! With your support, almost 40,000 meals were provided this fall. THANK YOU for your donations!
On behalf of the entire Second Harvest Food Bank team, we want to thank you because we cannot do what we do, without volunteers! We’re excited for all of the things to come next year and we know that with your support, it will be another phenomenal year!
I hope to see you soon!
Mindy Ortiz
Director of Volunteer Services
Thank you for your helping hands.
Volunteers make a difference.
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