Giving Thanks by Giving Back: Volunteers Unite to Help Relieve Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is on the rise around the world.
Conflict, inflation and climate extremes have combined for an unprecedented food crisis. The cost to deliver food assistance is at an all-time high and a rise in life-threatening hunger has followed.
Every day, more and more children and families living in impoverished conditions are being driven to the brink of starvation and in some regions, famine.
According to the latest data from the World Food Programme, 828 million people don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
With the support of a growing team of volunteers, Food For The Poor illustrates the power of one – one caring heart. These big-hearted people unite to form a group of compassionate volunteers joined in a mission to save lives.
3 ways volunteer opportunities fight to end hunger
Join The Pack events are unique experiences where volunteers work together in teams to assemble rice meals that are shipped to children and families in desperate need.
It’s a true team effort that enlists the help of the local community, volunteers and trusted partners.
What’s in a pack?
Each member of the team has a specific job. Together, volunteers mix rice, soy, dried vegetables and vitamins and minerals into bags that they seal, box and place on pallets.
“The large volume of meals that are created at these events truly makes a difference in fighting food insecurity,” said Food For The Poor’s Volunteer Program Coordinator Pennie Stagnitta.
Last summer’s Join The Pack Ukraine effort drew 450 volunteers who packed 116,000 nutritious lifesaving meals for children and families in desperate need in war-torn Ukraine.
2) Hearts United Food Kit Packing Events
The Hearts United program of Food For The Poor organizes a series of community events that bring churches, schools, families and individuals together to pack food kits that help fight food insecurity.
The kits include vegetables, fruits, proteins, rice, pasta, and other essentials selected to provide daily nutritional needs.
“These community events enlighten the community for the need to help those in extreme poverty to fight food insecurity,” Stagnitta said.
In addition to the volunteers who join together for these events, about 25 volunteers come to the Food For The Poor headquarters each week to sort through donated canned goods.
Volunteers check expiration dates and ensure the quality of the shipments of donations to the countries where we provide help.
Prayer is a fundamental part of Food For The Poor’s ministry, which is inspired by the Gospel and motivated by faith.
Prayer plays an important role in the Food For The Poor volunteer program, which depends on volunteers who are dedicated to serving others and sharing the gift of their time to help those in need.
“The FFTP volunteer program is unique because we ‘unite in God’s work’ to make a difference,” Stagnitta said. “God is truly working through them as his instruments to help the poor and to renew spirits.”
At the end of each weekly volunteer shift and at the end of every large community event, volunteers take the time to pray over the boxes they have packed that day.
“We pray the Lord’s blessing that these items arrive safely and into the hands who need them,” Stagnitta said. “We also thank the Lord for providing us the means to create the food kits. We also give thanks to the volunteers for sharing the gift of their time and dedication to serve those in need.”
Harnessing the power of compassionate hearts to relieve food insecurity
By harnessing the power of community, Food For The Poor is able to provide lifesaving food for hungry children and families throughout the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States.
Through its Volunteer Program, Food For The Poor offers a variety of opportunities that bring together churches, schools, businesses and individuals ready to make a difference.
These hands-on volunteer opportunities help the charity provide immediate relief for those struggling to put food on the table.
“Volunteers come together – united in God’s work – to make a difference in the lives of others who are in desperate need,” said Food For The Poor’s Volunteer Program Coordinator, Pennie Stagnitta.
Volunteers provide great support to the organization by giving of their time and their individual gifts to make a difference.
Volunteers are ready to step in to sort donated food items, organize drives and give their time wherever there is a need.
Under the direction of Stagnitta, Food For The Poor continues to develop impactful programs.
Events and programs are designed to provide volunteer opportunities that help relieve food insecurity in the countries where we provide help.
The best charity for volunteers
The wide diversity of volunteers at Food For The Poor is truly appreciated and valued.
Flexible volunteer opportunities provide a fun and rewarding environment where volunteers can meet new people, serve those in need and feel like a part of their community.
How to enjoy your volunteer experience
1) Be ready to have fun!
Making a difference in the lives of others is an immeasurable gift.
But it is also important that volunteers have fun volunteering!
While having fun, volunteers see the impact that their dedication and love has on their own lives and they share the joy of Food For The Poor’s mission with others!
2) Be flexible!
Whenever you are working as part of a team, it is important to be flexible. It’s exciting to provide support and encouragement to your fellow volunteers.
And together, each volunteer can enhance the experience for everybody involved and make the end result a success!
3) Be prepared to feel good
Volunteering can improve your overall well-being, so be ready to meet new people, become more engaged in your community, feel an increased sense of purpose and enjoy being part of something bigger.
Local volunteers give thanks
Getting involved and making a difference is the reason Hank and Sonia Bleier joined the growing group of Food For The Poor volunteers. Dedicated to serving others, the couple felt drawn to supporting the charity.
“It’s a beautiful feeling inside that you’ve reached out,” said Hank Bleier, who began volunteering with Food For The Poor with his wife, Sonja, in 2022.
The Bleiers say their work with the charity is a way to give thanks for their blessings. “If you can touch somebody’s life in a little way, what better thing is there?” Hank Bleier said.
Get started today!
You can make a big difference in someone’s life when you volunteer.
Food For The Poor makes signing up to volunteer simple.
Contact the Volunteer Department at 954-427-2222, ext. 6345, or email [email protected] or [email protected].
Get ready to enjoy volunteering, and remember, the life you change could be your own!
