Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1464839
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! For 30 years, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) community volunteers have worked one-on-one with children and youth in the foster care system in Santa Cruz County. Thank you to all of our volunteers, past and present, for advocating for the best interests of our community's children, and believing in them. www.casaofsantacruz.org Prior to the pandemic, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz Coun- ty, and its 190 partner agencies and nutrition distribution sites were powered by over 3,000 volunteers. Volunteers sorted, packed, and distributed over 8 million pounds of food each year. With the onset of the pandemic mid-March 2020, the need for food doubled within days, while the volunteer work- force sharply dropped off as res¬idents com- plied with stay-at-home orders. The in¬crease in need, and the necessity to safely distribute food to the community in a safe manner required a major reorganization of efforts. Within a week, Second Harvest was able to add large scale distribution locations for communi- ty members who either didn't have a nutri- tion home or lost their location because of the pandemic and lack of volunteers. Pre-pandemic, agencies and recipients were able to select food 'farmers' market style', but that changed to prepacked produce and pantry items allowing for contact-less and safer food distribution. Strategically located in the north and south ends of the county, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz County Fair Grounds were converted into high-volume, drive- through food distribution centers. Each center required over 60 people to run effectively and often managed with half that number due to limited volunteer availability. With a shortage of vol- unteers, the governor's orders deploying members of California National Guard came as a needed relief to the food bank staff and remaining vol- unteers. National Guard members were invaluable as they packed, sorted, and helped distribute food. National Guard staffing was recently dis¬contin- ued at the end of March 2022. As the National Guard assistance has drawn down, the number of volunteers remains far low¬er than pre-pan- demic levels. Moving out of the pandemic, the need for new volunteers remains high. Interested community members are encouraged to contact Second Harvest to find volunteer activities in their neighborhood. www.TheFoodBank.org/ volunteer The verb meant "of one's own choice" in its first usage. There's tremendous agency in the word "volunteer" and in the act of volunteering. It rarely fails to be an act of em- powerment both for the person making the choice and taking action and for those who may be helped by their service. The best way to honor the volunteer service of others is by being one yourself. Join us. Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County By Second Harvest The Food Bank was literally able to double our services overnight. – Willy Elliott-McCrea Provided photo 864 Volunteers in 2021 10,281 Volunteer Hours in 2021 Thanks to our many volunteers for their tireless efforts to feed our food-insecure neighbors. Without you, there is no us. Second Harvest is always looking for volunteers. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, contact volunteer@thefoodbank.org We run on volunteers!