Food Bank of the Rockies celebrates National Volunteer Week every third week in April. It’s one of my favorite times at the food bank and a small way of saying “thank you” for these generous gifts of time. Volunteers make such a big difference, not only to FBR, but also to our partner agencies and neighbors in need. Even though we take this special week to recognize our volunteers, for me and our staff, every day we operate is a day to be grateful for their contributions.
Can we put a price on the value of volunteering? According to Independent Sector’s most recent valuation, in Colorado, it’s $22.43 an hour. Multiply that by the 143,617 hours volunteers contributed last year, and FBR volunteers are worth more than $3.22 million to our organization! Their hard work allows us to accomplish so much more than we could ever do on our own. To us, volunteers are priceless!
One of the best parts of my day is visiting with our “regulars”. Day after day, week after week, year after year, we can depend on them to lend a hand. They pull orders, sort food, fill boxes, pack totes, help our drivers with USDA, Mobile Pantry and Nutrition Network distributions, assist in the office and prepare meals in our Community Kitchen. They are truly part of the FBR family and are some of the most wonderful people I’ve had the privilege of knowing.
In addition to our regulars, we work with many kind-hearted individuals and groups who just want to help out for a short time. From students earning community service to corporate groups coming to give back while building camaraderie, we appreciate and welcome each and every one of them.
If you’ve never volunteered at FBR, we encourage you to give it a try. Visit our website or give us a call to learn how you might be able to help. For everyone who has dedicated time to help us fight hunger, thank you. We salute your efforts!
