Halloween has passed which means only one thing, it is officially Christmas season. The holiday season is also known to be the season of giving. Because of everything going on this year, Maryland Food Bank has seen a decrease in volunteers. See their call for volunteers below. If you can’t volunteer this season, click here for Maryland Food Bank’s Virtual Food Drive. Through this drive, you are able to give a general donation or buy boxes of cereal, canned goods, and even produce to be delivered straight to the Maryland Food Bank.
To keep up with growing demands for food assistance from an ever-increasing number of Marylanders in need, the Maryland Food Bank (MFB) is issuing a call for volunteers and small groups willing and able to support its operational efforts in Baltimore so that the organization’s high volume of activity resulting from the effects of COVID-19 can continue through the holiday season.
The food bank has seen a decline in volunteers since the start of the school year, with hours in September down 9% compared to last year, and down 31% compared to August of this year. Even so, the food bank distributed nearly 4.6 million pounds in September 2020 vs. 2.7 million pounds in September 2019 – an increase of 70%.
“As the holidays near, we are entering the time of year when we typically need volunteers the most,” said MFB President & CEO Carmen Del Guercio. “Because of the pandemic, we’re seeing more need for food assistance yet fewer corporate groups available to help. Now more than ever, volunteers are absolutely vital to our operations, which is why we’re calling on Marylanders to join us so that we can ensure our neighbors facing hunger don’t have to go without this holiday season.”
MFB is looking for individuals and groups of 5 to 10 people who can work weekday shifts:
In the warehouse, sorting and packing donated food (Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.)
In the kitchen, packing Grab & Go Meals for kids and their families (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 9am to 2:30 p.m.)
Volunteers age 13+ are welcome, although volunteers under the age of 18 should be accompanied by a chaperone. For more information or to sign up for a shift, please visit www.mdfoodbank.org/volunteer.
