Food For The Poor Salutes Volunteers During National Volunteer Week
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 14, 2023) Volunteers are the heart and spirit behind Food For The Poor’s (FFTP) mission to help lift families out of poverty, and next week, the charity will honor their efforts in a special way.
As FFTP commemorates National Volunteer Week April 16-22, the charity is hosting a special You Are The Light luncheon for volunteers on Wednesday, April 19, at the charity’s Coconut Creek headquarters as a way of recognizing their commitment and saying thank you.
During the luncheon, awards will be presented to four volunteers for outstanding service.
Since FFTP’s Volunteer Program launched in the fall of 2021, volunteers have racked up more than 3,700 volunteer hours, equal to 154 days. The program has grown from 90 registered volunteers at the end of 2021 to 967 today and it’s still growing.
Together, those volunteers have:
- Packed 28,837 relief kits with food, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products.
- Rolled underclothes and washcloths and assembled tote bags – totaling more than 16,000 items.
“Volunteering is important because it gives people a purpose. It enhances their life,” said Pennie Stagnitta, FFTP’s Volunteer Coordinator. “We say we are grateful to them. They always say to us, ‘No. We are grateful to Food For The Poor for allowing us to do this work.’”
Each week, about 50 volunteers assist with sorting goods and donations in the warehouse, providing office and clerical support, and assisting with preparation for events.
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 and kits they have packed that day. They also write personal notes of encouragement that are included with the relief kits that are distributed to families in need.
On Saturday, April 15, up to 140 volunteers are anticipated for FFTP’s first Hearts United Community Day event of 2023 at the charity’s Coconut Creek warehouse. Volunteers will pack 2,000 women’s care kits that are an essential part of FFTP’s disaster response each year.
FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine said the selfless devotion of the charity’s volunteers reminds us all of our blessings.
“Volunteers have told us through their compassion and action that volunteering is not a sacrifice, but a blessing to be able to serve,” Raine said. “In engaging and collaborating with others, they are truly making a difference and we are forever grateful for their time and commitment.”
Anyone who is interested in joining FFTP’s Volunteer Program, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/volunteers.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.
Michael Turnbell
Communications
954-471-0928
[email protected]
