We’ll say it again: Volunteers are the Food Bank’s heart, soul. THANKS!

May 18, 2018

By Aaron Stone, Volunteer Coordinator 

Margaret Leach has always been someone who helps other people. When this retired special education teacher and active volunteer moved to Delaware last fall, she brought with her the desire to continue her volunteer activities.

She became familiar with the Food Bank of Delaware through Reformation Lutheran Church in Milford. A group from her church volunteers together every year. Since registering for her first volunteer shift in November, Margaret and her husband John have been volunteering every week.

At the Food Bank, we like to say “Volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization.” It’s true! Last year, we had 16,348 volunteer visits adding up to 40,007 donated hours, so Margaret and John’s hours are very much appreciated.

In addition to obviously helping food-insecure Delawareans, Margaret says part of the appeal is the ease of signing up. Volunteers can visit www.fbd.volunteerhub.com, pick a shift and register. “Signing up is very easy,” she said. She also likes the confirmation e-mail feature which helps her manage her schedule.

Regular volunteers, like Margaret and John, like the variety of opportunities in the Food Bank’s volunteer room. “You never know exactly what you will be doing any given day,” she said. And that’s part of the appeal. Margaret enjoys packing meals for the Child and Adult Care Food Program, or CACFP, and filling bags for our Backpack (weekend meals) program.

Delaware’s food insecurity rate, according to Feeding America’s latest statistics, is 12 percent, but the state’s child food insecurity statewide is 16.8 percent, so Margaret’s helping hands have an impact.

Time flies by when you’re busy, and that makes volunteering at the Food Bank even more appealing. “The shifts are always a very quick three hours,” Margaret said, noting that she leaves looking forward to signing up for her next shift.

Margaret has become an ambassador for the Food Bank of Delaware, suggesting to others that they volunteer here. “The ease of registering, the team approach, and a pleasant work environment,” are reasons why she encourages others to lend a hand.

“Completing the shift always feels great, like you’ve accomplished something,” she said.

Visit www.fbd.org to learn more about volunteering at the Food Bank of Delaware.