For the past couple of years, Valley food banks have reported seeing an increase in people needing food. And due to the recession, they’re seeing individuals and families come in who have never sought such help before. To help meet the demand, United Food Bank of Mesa is seeking volunteer groups to sort donated non-perishable food.
Groups ranging in number from 2 to 20 people come in to the bank at 358 E. Javelina Ave., and are trained to separate usable from unusable items. Goods that can be used are then packed into cases. Most volunteer activities take three to four hours. All volunteers must be scheduled. Shifts are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 8 a.m. to noon on Thursdays.
For more information, contact Lisa Goin at (480) 926-4897 or visit http://unitedfoodbank.org online.
• A Helping Hand is our weekly spotlight on a volunteer opportunity in the East Valley. Find other ways to help at www.volunteermatch.org.
TruthSeeker posted at 5:08 pm on Sun, Mar 18, 2012.
I have a novel idea. Why not have the recipients of this free food come in for a few hours and volunteer to sort it? It's called work-for-food. These volunteers would feel so much better about themselves if they worked for it.