Stocking without staff

Food Banks across the country are facing an unprecedented surge
in requests for aid and in addition to locating additional food
sources, many organizations are also recruiting more volunteers to
help address the physical challenge of food distribution.
Volunteer coordinator for Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) Jim
Roessler, said the REFB always sees an increase in volunteers
leading up to the holiday season and while the organization has
been fortunate to meet its volunteer needs so far, there is always
more work to be done.
“We’ve usually had enough to keep us rolling,” he said. “There
may be some evenings when it slows down but with that sort of thing
there are usually some folks expressing a willingness to work along
the way.”
According to Roessler, about 5,000 people volunteer with the
food bank at some point during the year. He said up to 700
individuals a month come through the warehouse facility with other
volunteers working at distribution sites. “There are a lot of
regulars but also a lot of new people.”
Without the volunteers, REFB would have to hire more than 30
full time staff to help facilitate food distribution to the 60,000
Sonoma County residents who utilize the food bank.
Volunteer Walt Basinger was working to sort donations with the
Senior Gleaners on December 1. He said the group was identifying
expired goods and watching for unlabeled, damaged or potentially
contaminated items. “If it’s not good for you, then it’s not good
for the client.”
Basinger said working at REFB provided a very hands on
experience and seeing the goods they sorted leaving the warehouse
provided volunteers with a sense of satisfaction.
Senior Gleaner Merlyn Thomas said she was an original member of
the group and remembered when they went out into the fields to
gather produce. She said her group had been working with REFB since
it’s inception and said the work had its own rewards. “We get as
much out of it as the Food Bank,” she said.
Volunteer Richard Brunn also said the experience was valuable.
“It’s a way to giveback,” he said. “I feel like I’m doing something
constructive.”
Rick Girvin said he has been a volunteer truck driver with REFB
for about four years. “I always felt there was a need in the
community to help people eat because you can’t do much without food
in your stomach,” he said.
Volunteer work at REFB includes driving bread vans, helping at
distribution sites, working in the front office, data entry,
special event support, food sorting and packaging
opportunities.
Roessler said the majority of work doesn’t require extensive
training or specialized skills but if a volunteer came forward with
a unique skill set, the organization makes an effort to utilize
their abilities. “Anything from a photographer to computer IT, we
try to focus that when we can. If they say they have a background
in something, we try to put that to use.”
Anyone interested in volunteering at REFB should contact Jim
Roessler at 523-7900 ext. 23 or email [email protected]. Large groups
should call ahead to schedule an appointment.
This story is part of the Food Basket series that will run
throughout the holiday season. The series will highlight efforts to
meet the need of less-fortunate residents. To submit information
call 838-9211 or email [email protected].