SOME OF OUR FAVORITE LOCAL STORIES.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT – AUGUST 20
Authors: Claire Hurd and Natiel Carpenter
Each year, more than 8,000 volunteers step through our front doors and become a part of the solution to hunger in our community. They bring their passion, energy and skills to the table so they can put food onto the tables of their neighbors in need.
To show our volunteers some appreciation, we have two special shoutouts we would like to make this week.
Everyone, meet Debbi of the FOCUS Tri-Cities Group and Andy of the Mixed Nuts Volunteer Group in Spokane.
Debbi Schmoe
Q: What’s your name?
A: “Debbi Schmoe.”
Q: What volunteer group do you work with?
A: “The FOCUS (Focusing on Community, Unity & Success) Tri-Cities Group.”
Q: How long have they been volunteering with Second Harvest?
A: “We have only been volunteering at Second Harvest for a couple of months. We spent time looking for an opportunity to volunteer on a regular basis and Second Harvest was the best option for us.”
Q: How many hours have they volunteered?
A: “Currently the group volunteers several hours a month. Personally, I also drive for Meals on Wheels. I ran a food bank when I lived in Iowa out of our church. I have also participated in disaster relief with the Southern Baptist disaster relief organization and have coordinated in the kitchen. When we responded to Hurricane Sandy, our kitchen provided over 100,000 meals in 7 days.”
Q: What made you want to start volunteering?
A: “As a group, we wanted to find a way to live out the John L. Scott slogan ‘Living Life as a Contribution’ and volunteering in our community was a great way to do just that.”
Q: What is your favorite memory of volunteering with Second Harvest?
A: “I love packing boxes of food, knowing they will go to families that really need it.”
Q: Would you survive in a zombie apocalypse?
A: “Probably not, I would stop to help and end up being swallowed up by the others.”
Q: Is a hot dog a sandwich?
A: “Of course, it is meat between 2 pieces of bread.”
Andy
Q: What is your name?
A: “Andy.”
Q: What volunteer group do you work with?
A: “The Mixed Nuts in Spokane.”
Q: How long have you been volunteering with Second Harvest?
A: “About 9 years. Since 2013. “
Q: How many hours have you volunteered?
A: “Ten thousand!” (He’s really not too far from the correct answer. He has donated thousands of hours of his time).
Q: Andy, is a hot dog a sandwich?
A: “A hot dog is a MEAL. I like them with pickles, relish, tomato, cucumbers and peppers.”
Both of these highlights are just a small glimpse into the passion our donors bring to the cause. It takes strong community relations to fight local hunger and we couldn’t do it without volunteers like Debbi and Andy. Thank you both for your dedication and commitment to ending local hunger.
If you are interested in volunteering, learn more here: https://2-harvest.org/volunteer/
Food Sourcing Update – September 29
Nearly six months after the federal COVID-19 emergency was lifted, obtaining food continues to be extremely challenging. News stories and conversations with our fellow Feeding America food banks confirm that food sourcing difficulties are nationwide.
That’s why we are so fortunate to be able to access Feeding America’s Choice System to obtain a variety of quality, nutritious food.
How to Host a Fundraiser – September 22
Looking for a fun way to celebrate your birthday, company event or holiday? Hosting a fundraiser for Second Harvest is easy and makes an impact. You can raise funds online or host a food drive in person. We’ll give you the tools to get set up, share your event and start collecting. Every dollar donated makes a difference for neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
Serving Those Who Serve Our Country – September 15
Steve and his wife both retired from the Army, and he also spent time as a civil engineer in the Navy. His career has been a life of service to our country. Today, he is a member of the civilian workforce at Fairchild Air Force Base.
With economics the way they are today, Steve accesses Second Harvest Mobile Market free food distributions on base.
Naturally cheery, Steve manages a smile even when he explains “Times are hard.” Simultaneously, he proudly adds, “We have two kids, 13 and 14. They eat like crazy and are growing like mad.”
Feeding Eastern Washington and North Idaho
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