Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.
~Elizabeth Andrew
It’s Volunteer Appreciation Month! This is the time of year that we pause to say “thanks a bunch” to all of the wonderful volunteers who make SHARE possible. They…
• distribute food for more than 20,000 people each month and know most of them by name
• collect more than 4 million dollars a year in payments for the food
• handle phones, mailings and a million other jobs in the office
• bag food, assemble loads and keep the warehouse humming with good cheer
• serve people in 200+ communities in 4 states
Of course, the sheer volume of our food distribution is amazing in itself. And, what is even more amazing to me is the way our volunteers serve people in their communities. In today’s rush-rush world, it is rare to find people who will take the time to help another. SHARE volunteers not only help others, they do so consistently, every month. Some of our volunteers have been at it for more than 20 years! Volunteers define the very essence of our organization.
And what is that essence? It is hard to put into words, but it is something you can feel at every host site. It is love in action. I don’t mean the oohey-gooey sentimental love found on greeting cards. Love in action is caring enough about people in your community that you will get up and unload a truck at 4am on a snowy morning. It’s taking yet another call at home after 9pm from someone who wants to sign up for SHARE. It’s spending Sunday afternoon balancing the SHARE money and double checking the orders. Love in action is practical, rooted in community and nourished by caring.
This month and every month, I invite you to join me in paying tribute to all the SHARE volunteers who make this organization flourish. With an uncertain economy, SHARE is one thing you can continue to count on every month. SHARE volunteers are the power that makes it all possible. Thanks a bunch!