Every day, volunteers at fixed and mobile pantries come face to face with the need for charitable food throughout West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. For four years, they have witnessed a rise in demand that is only expected to increase in the years ahead.
We are deeply grateful to the thousands of people who give their time throughout our 40-county service area to volunteer. We want to shine a spotlight on the volunteers who serve throughout our 40-county service area.
A window into our community
Regardless of the weather conditions, thousands of volunteers throughout West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula cover the last mile of our vast charitable food network to get food on pantry shelves and into the vehicles of neighbors at our drive-through mobile pantries.
Our neighbors who volunteer regularly, see the long lines of cars at mobile distributions. When they place boxes in trunks and on backseats, they see into the challenges that people in our community are facing regularly.
“You see people having hard times,” said James Bowman, who volunteered at Benton Harbor distribution in June. “Like today, there was a van. The couple was kind of young, and when you opened up the back of their vehicle, they had their bed laid out. They’re sleeping in there. When you see things like that, or you see really elderly people coming in, you see the need. It is so rewarding to help. You know, if you can help one person, you’ve done a great thing in my mind.”
Faith, love, and paying it forward
Volunteers have many reasons for giving their time to distribute food. Many cite their faith, saying their service is an expression of their love for their neighbors. Others serve to give back to the communities that helped them when they needed it. Some serve because they remember the times they didn’t have enough to eat, and they want to make sure no one else goes through the same hardship. Others serve because they know their kindness might spark hope inside someone who is going through a tough time.
Diane Young, business network resource manager at Michigan Works! And coordinator of the Michigan Works! mobile in Benton Harbor, speaks to the desire to help others that motivates her and everyone she works with.
“We just want to make a difference and make sure people have enough food on their tables,” she said. “Because when they have enough food on their tables, then what can they do? What happens in their lives? They can be productive in their jobs. Their children can be productive in the schools … so providing this food and nourishment for their bodies, it’s huge, it’s going to make stronger people and, in turn, a stronger community.”
Building community and caring for our neighbors
Without the dedicated work of so many wonderful volunteers, getting food into the hands of food-insecure neighbors would be impossible. For so many reasons, we appreciate not just the commitment from our community of volunteers, but the enthusiasm with which they commit to it, the communities built from it, and the care with which they interact with their neighbors.
Bill Brutto, head administrator of the Salvation Army in Alger, Marquette, and Baraga counties cites his appreciation for the volunteers they receive for their programs.
“I think it’s really cool how the community comes out,” he says. “Our offices are in Marquette, it’s an hour away to Munising, but communities will come out and volunteer for their neighbors. I think that’s the most encouraging thing. We consistently get the same 15 to 20 volunteers. They really do care, they want to make a difference. They’ve been going above and beyond. That is one thing that I’ve loved the most.”
Thank you to the many compassionate volunteers who travel far and wide to help provide their neighbors with the food they need to thrive. We truly couldn’t do this without you!
Consider standing alongside our generous volunteers in their efforts to fight food insecurity by making a donation to our Bridge the Gap campaign today. If you can’t make a financial gift, but would like to volunteer your time, please visit our Volunteer page. You can also use our Find Food map to locate nearby programs and see if they’re looking for volunteers.