Feeding South Florida celebrates National Volunteer Week 4/16/11

Feeding South Florida Recognizes Importance Of Volunteerism, Hosts Corporate Volunteer Groups During April 10-16 National Volunteer Week
April 16 Sorting Saturday
Feeding South Florida’s headquarters
2501 SW 32 Terrace
Pembroke Park, FL, 33023

To register to volunteer at the April 16 Sorting Saturday, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Leroy Green at lgreen@feedingsouthflorida.org or (954) 518-1863.

When Volunteers Will Sort, Package, Label, and Weigh Food for Distribution

During National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, Feeding South Floridaâ„¢ (formerly Daily Bread Food Bank) will emphasize the importance of and need for community volunteerism by hosting several corporate volunteer groups, and inviting the media to attend its April 16 volunteer-supported Sorting Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week recognizes the millions of volunteers who devote their time and efforts to making a difference in the lives of others. During this week, Feeding South Florida honors the thousands of volunteers who help the organization fight hunger and feed hope.

From April 10-16, corporate volunteer groups including Starbucks, Macy’s, Bank of America and YUM Brands will donate their time at Feeding South Florida.

At Feeding South Florida’s April 16 Sorting Saturday, approximately one hundred volunteers will show their support for the organization and National Volunteer Week by sorting, packaging, labeling and weighing food at the organization’s headquarters/warehouse in Pembroke Park. The food will then be distributed to Feeding South Florida’s network of more than 800 other not-for-profitorganizations.

Every year, Feeding South Florida, the largest hunger-relief organization in the state of Florida, provides food assistance to help the 920,000 people struggling with food insecurity in our community. During thepast fiscal year, more than 12,000 people volunteered over 40,000 hours at the organization. In addition to helping Feeding South Florida save time and labor costs, volunteerism helps raise awareness of hunger in the region and promotes community involvement in solving the problem.

Many of the food pantries and soup kitchens served by Feeding South Florida report that they rely entirely on volunteers and have no paid staff. “Volunteer support is invaluable to us at Feeding South Florida,” said Judith Gatti, executive director of Feeding South Florida. “Volunteers help keep our administrative costs low, and as a result, 98 cents of every dollar donated to us goes directly toward feeding the hungry. Without the help of volunteers, we could not be so efficient in distributing food to the community.”

The food insecurity rate for South Florida averages 16 percent, and the average cost of a meal is $2.73, according to Feeding America’s new Map the Meal Gap research.

About Feeding South Florida
Feeding South Florida™ (formerly Daily Bread Food Bank) is a not-for-profit organization that empowers other South Florida not-for-profit organizations to assist people in need and improve their lives. Feeding South Florida does this by providing food and other grocery products; and by educating and engaging our community to fight hunger and poverty. Through alocal network of more than 800 other not-for-profit organizations, Feeding South Florida strives to serve children, the elderly, the mentally and physically challenged, veterans and the working poor with compassion and integrity. Feeding South Florida is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Over 24 million pounds of food is distributed within the community by Feeding South Florida each year. Feeding South Florida’s headquarters is located at 2501 SW 32 Terrace, Pembroke Park, FL, 33023. For more information, please call (954) 518-1818 or visit www.feedingsouthflorida.org.

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