Food bank volunteer shares the rewards of helping others

My job, like so many others, was eliminated as a result of the continuing sluggish economy. I have been unemployed since June.

While my skills, experience and background are transferable into most any industry, it hasn’t been an easy transition into my new line of work — looking for a job. You can only spend so many hours each day searching and targeting the few available positions for which you are uniquely qualified.  

As time went on, there were few interviews and no job offers. I needed to find something to do; something outside my own little world and its concerns. And I wanted to feel productive again. That’s when I decided to contact F.O.R. (Food/Opportunities/Resources) Maricopa, the local food bank and resource center for those in need of assistance.

My first experience volunteering with F.O.R. Maricopa was at the food bank on a Thursday evening. I was told to show up around 5 p.m. and there would be others to train me. When I arrived people were already lined up outside to receive food. Inside the facility was a small army of volunteers busily packing bags with food and getting them ready for distribution which begins at 6 p.m.

The training I received was easy to learn and very much hands-on. All the volunteers were very helpful and everybody pitched in wherever they were needed. Initially, it looked like organized chaos but I soon learned this is a very productive operation, moving swiftly with great efficiency. It’s a system that has been perfected within the constraints of a doublewide trailer as a makeshift facility. I was impressed and absolutely amazed.

Every Monday morning and Thursday evening this same event is repeated until all the refrigerators, freezers and shelves are emptied and the donated food is distributed to those waiting outside — approximately 300 families each week. There are many resources that provide the food, labor and funds to keep F.O.R. Maricopa in operation.

But, from my perspective, it would not be possible without the generous daily donations from Fry’s and Bashas’ right here in Maricopa as well as Costco in Chandler. Six days a week food is picked up from these stores to restock the food bank. I have been joining Billy Wright (another food bank worker) on the Tuesday morning truck run. After picking up the day’s donations, we head back to the food bank, unload the truck and replenish the freezers and refrigerators. On a recent Tuesday morning we picked up more than 1,200 pounds of food in the form of bakery, produce, dairy and meat. And that was just one day.  

I have always been more than willing to donate food or gifts whenever asked of me. My church will periodically have food drives and I could always count on the annual employee-giving campaigns at the office. Over the years, I have dutifully donated a few bags of food or toys when asked and always thought I was doing my part. While all donations are appreciated, I had no idea the amount of labor, time, resources and volunteers working behind the scenes in order to keep a local food bank in operation. Volunteering with F.O.R. Maricopa has been a very rewarding and eye-opening experience for me.

My part-time work looking for a new job has paid off. I recently accepted an offer for a position located in Scottsdale. Unfortunately, this also means I will no longer be available to volunteer at the food bank. Maybe I can find other ways to help support it. Regardless, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a great team of people at a very well-run and worthy organization that supports the needs of our local community. There is no doubt that this experience has enriched my life.