But the work involved in accepting, processing and sending out about 4 million pounds of food a year requires hundreds of helpers. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the operation. Tons of the food comes from markets that reject it because the package was damaged, the label torn or the can dented. Entire cases of juice are shipped to the Food Bank if a single container leaks. Those salvaged items must be inspected and sorted, perhaps cleaned off.
Volunteers also package bulk foods such as rice, beans and cereals.
They stock shelves. The Food Bank would gladly take on more volunteers to help with those tasks, or to pick up food from markets and bakeries. Most of the work is done between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the warehouse at 3320 Industrial Drive. Volunteers are encouraged to work at least four hours per month. The Food Bank asks employers to consider sending teams of interested employees to help, one time or on a continuing basis, to sort or package or otherwise process food.