September Volunteer Spotlight: Mobile Food Pantry Crew
The JFS Mobile Food & Hygiene Pantry provides food assistance in areas of need for those facing food insecurity. The Mobile Pantry travels to Denver neighborhoods and housing complexes with high percentages of food insecurity and to community and recreation centers to reach those with transportation barriers. The mobile pantry has 15 different routes in the Denver area, and each neighborhood served sees the pantry once every two weeks. Each site’s Mobile Food Pantry team includes two paid staff and two volunteers.
The Mobile Food Pantry crew consists of about 17 volunteers, a small but mighty crew! These volunteers distribute food to neighborhoods where people have limited access to free and healthy food. While in the Mobile Pantry, volunteers greet and assist shoppers in selecting food and hygiene products. They bring a dignified shopping experience to those in need.
In August alone, 12 volunteers served over 85 hours to help our program serve 2,328 individuals at various sites in the community.
“Helping our clients shop for needed food is very rewarding. We get to talk with them as they pass through the mobile pantry. Henry and Izzy are good to work with. Plus, you can work outside under the tent.”
“My favorite part about volunteering for the Mobile Food Pantry is getting to know our clients on a more personal level. After visiting the same stops, over time it's very fulfilling to have ongoing conversations that develop into genuine relationships. We are really getting to know folks in their own backyards and meeting their families, pets, etc.”
“The Mobile Food Pantry is an outstanding place to help numerous clients as well as work with JFS employees and fellow volunteers.”
“I enjoy volunteering at the JFS Mobile Food Pantry because it takes us to communities where people in need of food live. They are grateful for the food and for us being there.”
“I enjoy volunteering because I think that it’s important to go into neighborhoods which lack access to healthy, nutritious food and allow the people in those neighborhoods the dignity of selecting those foods which they enjoy. The folks coming through seem to genuinely appreciate our reaching out which makes it worthwhile for all involved.”