I've recently started volunteer with REFB and had an amazing experience. I built produce boxes for the Covid -19 relief efforts. The enviorment was safe, secure and clean. We were given clear saftey instructions and protocols. There was music, water, snacks & breaks.
The REFB team was positive, engaging and helpful! I love hearing how many boxes we built, how many famlies will recieve help at the end of the shift!
Giving Tuesday was a wonderful opportunity to renew and recommit to my personal mission of 'giving to support the change I believe in' by donating to a variety of important causes, including one which touches me in a very personal way'hunger relief. When I was young, my family relied on food assistance for a brief period of time (explaining my enduing love for large blocks of orange cheese). I still have a vivid recall of the effect it had on me as someone in need, leading to my belief of 'nutrition with dignity.' Living with need affects people to their core, and, so can the way in which assistance is provided. We can help people overcome the indignity of need when we help them well. This is one of the reasons I choose to support the redwood Empire Food Bank Kitchen Collective as a donor of both time and funds. With a mission to 'transform donated ingredients into complex, nutritious, seasonal entrees' for those in need, I believe it is an innovative way to provide nourishing meals while conserving and extending the shelf life of high-quality donated food ingredients. Nutrition with dignity. Creating well-balanced meals using perishable donated ingredients adds capacity to food programs that feed peopleliving with food insecurity, in essence leveraging in-kind donations of food by making them meals. (Plus, I am awesome at doing dishes')
Review from #MyGivingStory
I work with many people every day providing information and referral. I tell at least half of them about the Redwood Empire Food Bank. The REFB is the warehouse for all the food distribution efforts in Sonoma County. They are an extraordinary valuable asset. Gerry La Londe-Berg
I am amazed at the efficient and tremendous volume of work that happens at the REFB. As a volunteer working solo or with employer-sponsored events, the staff creates an environment that gets the most out of volunteers while making us feel valued, and leaves us with a great feeling of accomplishment, Very flexible , so that I can do a little or a lot. It is spotless, organized, cheerful and friendly. All the tools are there to help work go smoothly. Try it, it feels great!
I really enjoy volunteering at the food bank. I assist in packing boxes of food for elderly people. The teams I work with are enthusiastic. I have also called people to remind them about picking up their boxes. The recipients are so appreciative. I am glad to help in the REFB's effort of feeding 78,000 a month.