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Today, I am thankful for having the opportunity to help others. I’m thankful I am ABLE to help others. Today I volunteered at The Cleveland Foodbank. Before you start praising me for taking time off work to do such a thoughtful thing, I do have a confession to make. My company actually set up this fantastic day! It was a team effort and I am so grateful that I work in a place that values the community and does what it can to give back. Today my company gave up its 75-person staff for a half day and allowed us all to volunteer at the Food Bank.
Being so in-tune with food and wellness, I was excited to see what it would be like! I had tons of questions: what kind of food do they provide? Do they have a checklist to ensure people are getting a balanced diet full of nutrients? I could imagine it could be quite difficult! When people are going HUNGRY and living in poverty, sometimes the most important thing is survival, not omega-3s, antioxidants, fiber and needed vitamins.
Distribution Facts and Figures (From clevelandfoodbank.org):
In 2008, the Cleveland Foodbank distributed over 21.6 million pounds of food to 451 hunger programs in six Northeast Ohio counties. That’s enough food to provide over 16.7 million meals!
The Cleveland Foodbank provides a majority of the food that is distributed at Northeast Ohio hunger centers, including shelf-stable food, perishable food, produce and prepared meals.
At a glance:
Who receives emergency food assistance?
* 31% are children under 18 years old.
* 12% are elderly.
* 26% of households have at least one household member in poor health.
* 77% are high school graduates
* 31% of households have at least one employed adult.
Choosing between food and other necessities.
* 38% of all clients had to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities, such as heat.
* 35% of all clients had to decide between paying for food and paying for rent or mortgage.
* 31% of all clients had to choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care.
* 26% of households served by the Cleveland Foodbank member agencies have at least one member living in poor health
Client income:
* In Northeast Ohio, a family of four with an income of $1,421 a month, or $17,052 a year, is defined as living in poverty.
* Households living at or below 130% of the poverty level are eligible for food stamps.
* Average household income among all clients in 2000 was $7,950.
* 67% of all client households had annual incomes of less than $10,000.
What does being hungry mean?
* 52% of those responding reported that they had eaten less than they should because of a lack of food, and 30% responded that they had not eaten for an entire day because of lack of food.
* 10% of clients with children said, in the last year, their children skipped meals because there was not enough money for food.
* 16% of clients with children reported their children were hungry at least once during the previous 12 months, but they could not afford more food.
How crazy is that! With the recent economical downturn and so many people out of work, the woman who led our group said that people need our help now more than ever. The percentage of the population that needs assistance is rising, while donations are slowing down. Big. Problem.
Our duty for the day was to sort through all of the food that families, grocery stores and other companies donate to the Foodbank. That food then goes into the Foodbanks warehouse and storage facility where it’s sorted into boxes for those who need it.
I got put on the ‘protein sorting section.’ Check out that PB!
Peanut Butter
After speaking with the Communications Coordinator at the Foodbank, I learned that all food is accepted. It’s then sorted and damaged boxes and cans are discarded. While much of the food is packaged (I know how many of you feel about that!), the Foodbank also has a refrigerated area where it stores produce, dairy and meat donated from grocery stores. I was SO happy to hear that these people in need also have access to fresh produce.
Check out the produce sorting station!
Produce at the Foodbank
Lots of bananas! (Where’s that PB?!)
Bananas at the Foodbank
The conveyor belt….
Conveyor belt @ the Foodbank
Look! Options for those who eat Gluten-Free!
Gluten free pancake mix
Can you spot my friend Annie?
I loved every minute at the Foodbank and was FASCINATED with how much work goes into coordinating such a large effort. I am so proud to say that I did my small part.
Me @ The Cleveland Foodbank
The Cleveland Foodbank
Cleveland Foodbank Sign
I’m so thankful for the good people in this world. God truly has blessed us with some remarkable people. Thinking about the people who run the Foodbank and other non-profit organizations sometimes makes me feel inadequate! Just look at all the GOOD they are doing in their lives? It is unbelievable.
Looking around at my colleagues today, I realized everyone was truly enjoying themselves. The typical ‘slackers’ dove right in and suddenly became efficient and speedy! The overall mood was infectious, a positive energy buzzing around the room. The typical ‘complainers’ were laughing and bragging about how much food they’d sorted and workplace politics dissolved, as did job titles. We were all there for the same reason. To do something good. How awesome is that?! (The answer is very. Very awesome)
I really do plan on volunteering more often. It’s hard to make time for it, but based on how I felt leaving the Foodbank today, it’s so worth it. The health benefits of volunteering are an added bonus
Did you know: those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer.
Since music is always on my brain, I couldn’t help but think of Jewel’s BEAUTIFUL song, Hands. Take a listen and tell me that isn’t inspiring. you. can’t.
When is the last time you gave back to your community? What are you thankful for today?
Stay tuned for the Daily Delish!
Also, remember I am looking for all your fashionistas out there! Submit your photo to info@thedailybalance.com!
Tags: Thankful
That’s pretty awesome. Do you think you will go back, on your own time? I went along with a day with my daughter’s middle school class, and it was so moving and FUN and engaging, and we swore we’d return, but we never did.
I will definitely be going back/looking for other places that seek volunteers (maybe not as often as I would like). I used to volunteer a lot when I was younger and had more time and I’ve missed that element of my life!
how nice of you to volunteer.
I used to volunteer a while back, but it’s been too long. I feel like I’m too busy these days. I think I need to add it to my list asap. Your post is super inspiring!
It’s pretty cool that there were good quality things in there too, not just junk that will fill the void.
Love all that food, btw
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