Food Finders Food Pantry is a valuable local resource for our area, and a great, easy opportunity for volunteer work. The atmosphere is clean, conditioned, bright, safe, and fun. You can sign up online at the link below quickly, easily, in advance, or even last minute and choose a shift of 2-4 hours, and if you need to leave early it is fine. There isn’t any paperwork to fill out, and they explained in just a few minutes how to help. The room pictured with boxes of food is a sorting area where volunteers sort items into categories for distribution. You can also work in the room where they portion bulk items into smaller bags, such as the pasta pictured, which they purchase for those in need, then portion into one pound bags.
You can also help by donating food. A few tips on what can not usually be re-distributed are on the poster shown with the damaged cans. The items must have an ingredient list visible, as well as an expiration date that has not passed, or a use by date that is within the dates recommended the items be used, for the organization to be able to distribute it. They seem to have the most stock of canned soup, fruits, vegetables, and beans. They also receive a lot of rice, peanut butter, instant mashed potatoes and pasta. I noticed they also take toiletries, pet items, pet food, and household supplies such as cleaners, trash, bags, etc. It might be helpful to donate cash so they can fill in the gaps in certain categories, or you could call to inquire about specific current needs, but I know they appreciate anything that they can provide to their visitors.
For information on how to easily donate or volunteer, just visit the website at: https://www.food-finders.org/
To go directly to the link to volunteer, and see the available shifts: https://foodfindersfoodbank.volunteerhub.com/lp/pantryvolunteers/events
Or you can contact the volunteer coordinator at: 765-471-0062 ext 101
