PHOENIX — Valley food banks are looking for more volunteers to help serve the community.
One of those food banks, St. Vincent de Paul, says that while more people volunteer during the holidays, they often experience a drop-off in the number of volunteers starting in December.
This year, they have seen an especially noticeable decrease in the number of volunteer hours.
"Ninety-five percent of the workforce at SVdP are volunteers - that’s how important they are," the organization said in a news release. "They don’t just assist with meal prep and creating and serving 7,000 meals each day, they also sort clothing donations, tutor children, and run the thrift shops."
The organization says they are most in need of volunteers for early morning shifts, as well as Monday and Friday shifts. They also need volunteers in their kitchen, dining rooms, Dream Center, urban farms and thrift stores.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact St. Vincent de Paul by:
- Email: volunteer@svdpaz.org
- Phone: 602-261-6886
- Online
St. Mary's Food Bank is also putting out the all-call for volunteers.
Jerry Brown, who's worked with St. Mary's for 14 years, explains that after the holidays, the number of volunteers typically drops off by as much as 50%.
Part of the issue is that there is still so much need in our community, especially this year.
"But the difference between this year and last year is the number of people we are serving," explained Brown. "That has jumped and jumped and jumped, so that when the number of volunteers drops after the holidays, it hurts us even more."
Currently, St. Mary's is feeding 1,600 families each day at their locations in Phoenix and Surprise. That doesn't even count their 800 community partners who also receive food boxes.
If you or your neighborhood, classmates, or coworkers would like to volunteer, click here.
