June
2003
For the next three months, we will be discussing one of our most active and vital volunteer workstations, the
South Plains Food Bank, Inc. The “Inc.” is the reason that this organization will take three columns. It is divided into three very different, but equally important, parts: Food Bank Operations, the Farm, Orchard and Garden Division, and Breedlove Dehydrated Foods. All of these areas serve one great vision--to alleviate hunger in the South Plains and the World.
Food Bank Operations has as its mission to (1) provide food for the area’s hungry while preserving human dignity and offering self-sufficiency opportunities, and (2) maintain and grow the donor base for food and funds through partnerships at every level. Volunteers from all walks of life support this not-for-profit agency. It is a provider to 265 agencies and two satellite food banks that, in turn, serve the hungry in 40 counties. It collects food from food brokers, manufacturers, grocers, farmers, and the thousands of citizens who donate food in every form whenever the opportunity presents itself. The operations division also collects surplus food from various supermarkets and restaurants in Lubbock to be distributed to the Second Helpings program. This is a source of food for church soup kitchens where volunteer members of the congregation serve meals to needy families throughout the week. Food Bank Operations also supplies nutritious, after-school meals to children in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods through their “Kids Café”. Each week, as many as 700 children will eat healthy meals and enjoy an after-school environment where they are safe to learn and play. Food Bank Operations is a far-reaching organization that needs many volunteers to accomplish all of its missions.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Sorting donated food; repackaging dry and frozen food; packing dry, frozen and hygiene boxes
- Helping in the kitchen
- Groundskeeping
- Working at reception desk (good telephone/people skills needed)
- Assisting with periodic mailings
- Planning and working at various Food Bank on-going functions and special events.
- Tutor children, help with food preparation, or teach a special class such as theater or art to the children at the Kid’s Cafe.
Regular hours are available to meet your schedule Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and you will be well trained to do whatever job you choose. Lunch is provided to volunteers at 12:00 noon if you are volunteering with Food Bank Operations. YOU can help create a hunger-free South Plains!
OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
DEPARTMENT OF PROTECTIVE AND REGULATORY SERVICES, 1622 10th Street, would really appreciate some help in their offices anytime you could spare. Paid staff must take time from their work to do several jobs such as filing and paper shredding that volunteers could accomplish on their own schedule. Also, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings there is a need for someone to just answer the phone and direct the caller to the right employee. A list of extension numbers is right by the phone and office assistance is just a few feet away if you need information. This is the Department of Human Services office that works to protect children, the elderly and disabled in our community from abuse, neglect or exploitation. Can you help?
FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM (a part of SPAG) is inviting caregivers to a day of respite from their never-ending job. Anyone who provides care for a person 60+ years of age, or a relative who is 60+ and raising children under the age of 18, may qualify for the program. The event will be held at the First Church of the Nazarene, 6110 Chicago Avenue, on June 21 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Care will be provided for the adult or child while the caregiver is treated to several hours of relaxation, fun, and pampering. Volunteers are needed for a two-hour shift to greet the guests and direct them to the areas they need. This is a one-time only volunteer job that is sure to make you feel good!
To volunteer, or for more information about these or other volunteer positions, please call the RSVP office at 742-2423.
HOW do I join RSVP?
Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 742-2423 and chat with Ronda Casey or Bonne Phillips about your interests. If you are not certain what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just the right job for you. Just mail in the
enrollment form
(requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!
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