The volunteer program at Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope is growing — and with that growth comes greater impact for neighbors facing hunger across the region.
In response to rising need and increased community interest, Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope has expanded volunteer opportunities in both scale and scope. What was once a more limited schedule now includes additional shifts, including newly added Mondays, as well as specialized roles like food order selection shifts.
Opportunities to serve also extend beyond the warehouse. Volunteers can support offsite efforts, including mobile pantry distributions across the Western Slope. Family-friendly volunteer nights are also available, creating space for people of all ages to contribute together.
“Our volunteer program has evolved in a way that reflects both the growing need in our region and the desire people have to step up and help,” said Amber Henning, Western Slope Director of Development and Community Relations. “By expanding our shifts and creating new types of opportunities, we’re making it easier for more people to get involved in meaningful ways.”
That growing base of volunteers reflects a wide cross-section of the Western Slope itself. On any given day, the Etkin Family Distribution Center may include truck drivers, an aerospace engineer, a train conductor and local business owners — all working side by side.
“Volunteers come from all walks of life, and that’s one of the most powerful parts of this work,” Henning said. “No matter your background or profession, there’s a place for you here, and everyone plays a role in helping ensure our neighbors have access to nutritious food.”
The primary volunteer experience takes place inside the distribution center. Volunteers pack food boxes, repackage and label bulk products, and sort donated food to ensure quality and safety. This includes checking expiration dates and inspecting items for damage before they are distributed to partner agencies and community members.
A significant portion of that food comes from grocers and retailers through the Food Rescue program. These donations are essential to meeting demand, but they also require careful handling.
“Food safety and quality are critical, especially when we’re working with donated products,” Henning said. “Our volunteers help us make sure everything we distribute is safe, usable and ready to support someone’s next meal.”
Some tasks require both teamwork and attention to detail. Volunteers often break down large quantities of bulk goods, including totes of dried beans that can weigh up to two tons, into manageable one- to two-pound bags for distribution.
In another area of the facility, volunteers assist with food dehydration, where fresh fruits are sliced, prepared and loaded onto trays for dehydrating. Once complete, those items are packaged and labeled, extending their shelf life and reducing food waste. Our dehydration program is run by staff member Kathey Swisher, who brings more than 20 years of experience dehydrating produce. Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope is the only food bank in the Feeding America network that has a produce dehydration program.
These diverse opportunities allow volunteers to see the direct impact of their time and effort, whether they are working in the warehouse, at a mobile pantry or alongside family members during a family volunteer night.
“As our program continues to grow, so does our ability to serve more people across the Western Slope,” Henning said. “That growth is only possible because of our volunteers.”
She added, “To every person who has given their time, energy and heart to this work — thank you. You are the reason we’re able to meet this moment and continue showing up for our neighbors.”