The Feeding Florida network of food banks includes more than staff, partners, and donors. The unsung heroes of our work are the selfless and dedicated volunteer force that make our food banks’ missions possible. We celebrate these incredible volunteers who have made a significant impact on the communities we serve. It is an inspiration to our entire team to witness individuals from various backgrounds and walks of life come together to contribute their time and energy toward fighting hunger.
In this blog post, we proudly shine a spotlight on the stories on a handful of these remarkable food bank volunteers- Navy Federal Credit Union from Feeding the Gulf Coast, Angelo from All Faiths Food Bank, Robin from Feeding Northeast Florida, and Ron from Feeding the Gulf Coast. Their commitment to alleviating hunger has not only made a difference but has also inspired those around them to join the fight against food insecurity.
Navy Federal Credit Union from Feeding the Gulf Coast
In 2022, Navy Federal Credit Union demonstrated a remarkable commitment to community service by increasing its volunteerism by an impressive 200%. With over 1,500 hours of service, they continued their efforts into 2023, surpassing 2,500 volunteer hours with Feeding the Gulf Coast. Their team members have engaged in various activities, including food sorting, backpack packing for children, Thanksgiving box packing, inventory, and distribution, showing that every helping hand counts. Taylor Thorpe, a member of Navy Federal Credit Union, encapsulates the spirit of volunteerism, stating, "Service to others, no matter how big or small, is never wasted."
"Service to others, no matter how big or small, is never wasted."
Angelo from All Faiths Food Bank
For over 13 years, Angelo has been a dedicated volunteer at All Faiths Food Bank, contributing over 950 hours of his time to help his fellow neighbors. Motivated by a desire to make a positive impact on the community, Angelo emphasized the fundamental importance of ensuring people have access to food, “Many years ago I wanted something positive I could do for our local community members. I felt that nothing was more fundamental than people having food to eat. At All Faiths Food Bank, each week when our volunteer group finishes up our ‘shift’, we acknowledge the number of families we will have fed, and everyone feels really good about doing this for the community.”
Robin from Feeding Northeast Florida
In the Jacksonville area, Robin stands out as a beacon of positivity and enthusiasm as she generously contributes her time to Feeding Northeast Florida. Her willingness to help wherever needed, and her infectious positivity and enthusiasm inspire everyone around her. Whether in the Feeding Northeast Florida warehouse or at their mobile distributions, Robin approaches tasks with eagerness and a desire to make a difference.
Ron from Feeding the Gulf Coast
Ron's commitment to combating hunger is truly extraordinary. Despite an hour-long commute from Alabama to the Feeding the Gulf Coast Florida warehouse, Ron dedicates his time to sorting over 1,000 pounds of food each week, providing over 3,200 meals a month to those facing hunger. His motivation stems from the friendly and accommodating staff and the sense of community that comes from working together toward a common goal.
Larry, Mary, Jill, and Sam from Feeding South Florida
The Peace Corps Volunteers of South Florida volunteer once a month at Feeding South Florida. Larry, the team leader, volunteers twice a week individually and serves at distribution and school panties. In addition, he goes above and beyond and acts as a speaker to groups representing the food bank and the work they do in the community.
The volunteer highlights above remind us that positive change is possible when individuals come together for a common cause. Each story showcases the unique ways in which volunteers contribute to the Network’s mission, embodying the belief that a collective effort, no matter how big or small, can make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.