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1,896 Volunteers in 2022 14,263 Volunteer Hours in 2022 We run on volunteers! Thanks to our many volunteers for their tireless efforts to feed our food-insecure neighbors. We are the Food Bank Second Harvest is always looking for volunteers. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, contact volunteer@thefoodbank.org Scan to Volunteer How does Second Har- vest Food Bank manage to provide food to 65,000 Santa Cruz County residents each month? It wouldn't be possible without the help of a ded- icated volunteer corps that spends thousands of hours each month packing and distributing healthy food to neighbors in need. Driving Second Har- vest's 50-year history, volunteers have made the difference by helping the nonprofit serve an ev- er-growing need, through historic events such as the 1989 earthquake, the floods of the 1990s, the COVID pandemic, serious inflation, and the aftermath of this winter's extraordinary series of at- mospheric rivers and sub- sequent floods, mudslides, and power outages. In 2022, close to 1,900 volunteers contributed their time, talents, and en- ergy to Second Harvest, not only sorting, pack- ing, and distributing food, but also helping with special events and advocating for hun- ger relief. Volunteers contributed more than 14,000 hours, distribut- ed more than 11 million pounds of food, and provided more than 9 million meals last year. Thanks to these volun- teers, The Food Bank has been able to fulfill its mission and keep up with demand. That's why Second Harvest is celebrating its volunteers later this month at the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic '23, Friday, April 21, 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Aptos County Park. The event for volunteers and their families includes food, live music, and fun and games for all ages. Joining the volunteer force at Second Harvest is easy — first-time volunteers can register online by creating a log- in and password when signing up for their first shift, at the Second Harvest volunteer page, www.thefoodbank.org/ volunteer. By donating a few hours of your time, you'll be a part of the volunteer force that is the heartbeat of Sec- ond Harvest. No prior training or experience is needed — all training is done on the day of your volunteer shift. Volunteers can get in- volved in the Weekday Food Packs (9 a.m. – noon, Monday -Thurs- day, with an addition shift geared towards students Wednesdays 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.), held at Second Harvest's Watsonville warehouse, where 5,000 bags and boxes of fresh produce and dry goods are sorted and packed for partner agencies and neighbors. We Are the Food Bank: Volunteers essential to Second Harvest's mission By Second Harvest A Special Santa Cruz Sentinel Advertorial Supplement April 15, 2023 Another popular option is the Saturday Sorts, where there are "early bird" and "late riser" shifts for sorting and packing more than 16,000 pounds of fresh produce and dry goods for partner agencies and neighbors. Volunteer help is also needed for special events, including outreach tabling, and serving food and wine. Volunteers can also ad- vocate for hunger relief by joining a legislative visit, doing research, phone banking, writing letters of support to our elected officials at the state and federal levels, or participating in an advisory group. People from all walks of life can join the fight against hunger in our community. The mini- mum age to volunteer is 10 (with an accompa- nying parent), and 13+ with a signed waiver. If you would like to bring a group, or have other questions, please contact the Volunteer Manager at volunteer@thefoodbank. org or 831-232-8141. Scan to Volunteer! Adobe Stock photo