More Than 600 Volunteers Contributed Nearly 16,000 Hours to Fight Hunger and Improve Nutrition in Humboldt County

Food for People volunteer, Keisha, bagging food for our distributions. [Photo provided]

Food for People would like to recognize the valuable contribution of our team of volunteers in providing food to people in need throughout Humboldt County. Volunteers have been essential to the continued operation of the food bank during the last year as Food for People have grappled with the damage to their flagship building while working to meet the increased need for food assistance caused by the pandemic.

In the last year, more than 600 volunteers contributed nearly 16,000 hours to fight hunger and improve nutrition in Humboldt County. Volunteers work alongside food bank staff to distribute food through Food for People’s network of countywide food pantries, deliver meals to homebound seniors, help with drive-thru distributions, and pack bags with non-perishable pantry staples and produce. The entire staff at Food for People is impressed by the dedication, kindness, and compassion that volunteers demonstrate in their service and would like to express their heartfelt thanks to everyone who has given their time to help those experiencing hunger and food insecurity. Volunteers are the essential hearts and helping hands who have kept the food bank going and helped ease the struggles of many families throughout Humboldt County. During the Pandemic, volunteers have been incredibly conscientious about COVID-19 safety to ensure that the entire organization stays healthy and able to deliver food services without interruption.

“No one person can take credit for all that we’ve accomplished – it has been because of incredible people like all of you, our amazing volunteers and a supportive community working together to keep our community strong,” says Food for People’s Executive Director Anne Holcomb.

National Volunteer Week is celebrated in many countries and was officially established in the United States in 1974 as a way to recognize volunteers and promote volunteerism. Thank you to all community members who dedicate time and energy in various capacities throughout the community. Our volunteers are part of what makes Humboldt County a unique place to live.

For more information about volunteering with Food for People, please call 707-445-3166 ext. 310 or email [email protected]

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Food for People, the Food Bank for Humboldt County, has provided vital emergency food resources for the community during the COVID-19 crisis. As the Food Bank for Humboldt County Food for People works to alleviate local hunger and improve the health of the community through its countywide hunger relief programs and strong community partnerships. Food for People distributes nearly 2 million pounds of food annually to the county’s most vulnerable members. Following the sewer disaster that occurred at the food bank’s main site in February of 2020, plans are underway to construct a new facility that will ensure every person experiencing hunger in Humboldt County can access nutritious foods, and local children, seniors, and families can connect with services that address the root causes of hunger and poverty. The new building will allow Food for People to expand their hunger relief services; store more fresh, healthy foods; respond to disasters & emergencies; and much more. For more information or to join in Food for People’s effort visit www.foodforpeople.org.