The Leesburg Food Bank feeds up to 180 families a week during its three food distributions. It takes fifteen people to run the operation.
Not only do volunteers pack and sort food and serve neighbors, but they also organize the pantry, take inventory, and counsel neighbors to connect them to other resources like SNAP benefits. And there is not one person on payroll, all the way up to President Don Diamant.
He said this Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida feeding partner has been entirely volunteer-run since he took the helm over twenty years ago.
“We don’t let anyone leave without food,” Don said. “And we don’t ever turn a person away.”
Warehouse manager and volunteer supervisor Brenda said many of the volunteers have been regular faces at the pantry for several years.
“I’m always amazed at the dedication of the volunteers,” she said.
Volunteers perform different roles during the three weekly food distributions for kids, families and seniors facing hunger.
Matt takes water and snacks to the neighbors waiting in line to receive food.
“They get excited to see me coming,” Matt said. “I think it makes them more comfortable.”
He said his job was one he came up with himself because he thought it would put smiles on people’s faces.
“Being kind is the most important thing in the world to me,” Matt said.
He said he has volunteered for 13 years.
Pat and Geri work together in the dry storage room, shelving and organizing nonperishable food donations. They’re both retirees, they both have volunteered at Leesburg Food Bank for several years, and they also both put out food donation collection boxes in their respective neighborhoods to enlist more people in helping to fight hunger.
“I needed to do something,” said Pat, who wanted to find a place to volunteer after moving to Florida.
Don said the pantry is debt-free and much of its food supply comes from participating in Second Harvest’s Retail Rescue program, where grocery stores donate extra food instead of disposing of it.
“I don’t know what I’d do without that,” Don said. “And nothing goes to waste.”
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