National Volunteer Month A Time to Thank Individuals for their Time
April is National Volunteer Month and Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, is celebrating the volunteers that support food banks and food-assistance agencies. More than two million people volunteer at a food pantry, soup kitchen, emergency shelter or after-school program in our country each and every month – that’s more than 100 million volunteer hours a year – according to Hunger in America 2014, a study conducted by Feeding America.
“Feeding America’s success depends on the generosity and commitment of our volunteers,” said Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America. “We are grateful to the more than two million individuals who contribute to the remarkable work of helping to feed the 46 million people in this country—including 12 million children and more than 7 million older adults—who turn to us for assistance every year.”
Volunteers help Feeding America’s nationwide network of 200 food banks in every aspect of their operation. Volunteer activities can range from gleaning produce from a farm; packing, sorting and distributing food; helping to staff an event; or providing a food bank access to specialized skills, such as carpentry, marketing or technology. Volunteers span all age groups and come from all walks of life – from celebrities, youth groups, corporate volunteer teams, fraternities and sororities, and individuals.
Marilee Maddin volunteers at Feeding the Gulf Coast, a food bank in Alabama, four days a week. She has found volunteering to be a real eye-opening experience. “I never realized how many individuals and families need help. And there are so many hungry kids in America,” she said. As a configuration manager for the United Space Alliance, Marilee helped configure payloads for space shuttle flights. Now, as a volunteer, she’s translated her experience to the food bank warehouse to increase safety and efficiencies. “I feel a sense of accomplishment every time I volunteer and I get up every morning and look forward to coming here.”
To find out how you can help in your local area, visit our web site at www.feedingamerica.org and go to the “food bank finder.”
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Contact
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About Feeding America
Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.