At Second Harvest Food Bank, volunteers are truly the heart of our mission.
When I reflect on the 76 million meals we distributed last year, I think about the countless volunteers who dedicated their time to ensure that every meal was made possible.
I think of those who signed up for donation-sorting shifts, ensuring that the food we distributed was always fresh and safe.
I think of the volunteers at Mercy Kitchen, who helped prepare meals for our Medically Tailored Meals Program and Kids Cafes.
Then there are the food-drive sponsors who rallied their communities to collect food on our behalf. More still are the food shows that invited us to pick up their leftover products, turning excess into something meaningful.
I think of the volunteers who assisted at special events, helping us raise the necessary funds to distribute even more food to neighbors facing hunger.
There are also those who wanted to see the full impact of our work — not only sorting donations but volunteering with one of our partner agencies to witness firsthand how the food was being distributed to families and individuals.
And then, we have our “above and beyond” volunteers — those who stepped into leadership roles. These volunteers took on the responsibility of leading shifts and supporting the team when it was short-handed, saying, “I can help.” Their willingness to step up and lead makes a huge difference.
Where would we be without our volunteers? Honestly, I hope we never have to find out.
We are deeply grateful for every person who shows up, day after day, to make our mission a reality. To all of our volunteers, thank you. Your dedication means more than words can express.
Sincerely,
Mindy Ortiz
Director of Volunteer Services
