When I volunteered to read through 40 years’ worth of minutes from the Food Bank’s Board of Directors meetings, my reasons were simple:
- I wanted to have an inside look at how this all started.
- I wanted to understand the “big picture.”
- I knew it’d be exciting to help prepare for the Food Bank’s 40th-anniversary commemoration this year.
I also knew I would have to do all this reading at home. I mean, 40 years of reading is a lot! I would get to explore what had been accomplished and dig into specific moments when this organization made a difference in the community. I would reflect on the past, which was important, but what was even more important was reading about how deeply volunteerism was a part of who we were as an organization—from the start.
So, to celebrate National Volunteer Week 2021, I want to recognize the people who have demonstrated kindness through acts of service: the volunteers, both past and present, of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
The early years
Volunteerism had a tremendous impact on the Food Bank early on—from the first mention of three volunteers coming from Blue Ridge Community College in 1981 to the VISTA volunteers who played a prominent role throughout the first years of operation. Each VISTA volunteer was assigned a region within our service area, and they were responsible for food solicitation, community relations, member-agency and program development, and fundraising: all things that are currently done by Food Bank staff!
Volunteers contributed to many charitable interactions that served a broader purpose: They bonded neighbors and communities under a common cause. And CEO Phil Grasty’s appreciation of the volunteers’ work was evident. (The Board-meeting notes indicate he was often inspired by all the incredible individuals who gave through their service.)
“In [doing research], I realized more and more just how heavily the Food Bank has always relied on its volunteers—we still do.”
I fully understand how truly encouraging it is to see people in our communities give back each day in a way that not only supports our mission of making sure everyone has enough to eat but also builds and strengthens interpersonal relationships.
As I continued reading through the minutes, my excitement grew at the mention of a Volunteer Advisory Board set up within the first five years of the Food Bank’s operation. This was immediately followed by a smile when I read that one of the first decisions made was to approve a snacking table at each location for the volunteers, perhaps for when they took breaks. Why did this make me smile? Well, having been with the Food Bank for eight years, I’ve experienced the remodeling of the Verona facility. And for me, one of the highlights was incorporating an enclosed breakroom for the volunteers. At the time I was hired, there was a snacking table set up for the Verona volunteers—but in a corner in the warehouse. You can’t really decorate such a table, so I was a big (BIG) advocate for an enclosed space. Imagine the possibilities!
Clean, inspect, prep! Starting in 1991, volunteers dabbled in the art of egg-grading.
Volunteerism has been a critical piece of the Food Bank’s progress through the years, especially as Phil notes in the Board minutes: “We have not been able to employ a large staff, and much of the work has been done by VISTA volunteers. The two goals of the Food Bank are to reduce food waste and to feed the needy. VISTA has aided us greatly in pursuing these goals.” In 1984, volunteers were brought in to help with newsletters and in the warehouse. And when President Reagan declared December 15 was “Share and Care Day,” volunteers stationed themselves at the local malls all day to collect food donations.
The more I read, the more I saw the numbers grow year after year: 25 volunteers, 50 volunteers, and then—in 1987 when the Food Bank is referred to as “Volunteer City”—more than 100 volunteers! In 1990, there were 13,564 volunteer hours recorded at all four locations, and in 1991, volunteers were trained to wash, inspect, and package eggs! As the need for milk and eggs increased, the Food Bank set up an egg-grading program and even expanded the space used to sort through food donations to handle this growing volunteer project.
Seeing the past in print gave me perspective on what Food Bank life was like at that time and gave me an appreciation of what we still have today: Volunteers who are committed to supporting the mission of the Food Bank.
The impact of volunteering
My task in reading 40 years of Board-meeting minutes was to research the history that shaped the Food Bank. In doing so, I realized more and more just how heavily the Food Bank has always relied on its volunteers—we still do. I found myself thinking about the many volunteers I’ve met throughout my career. In all the positions I have held, I’ve worked alongside people who have not only given their time and resources to an organization but also showed compassion in such an influential way: by becoming volunteers.
Making a difference—today
As part of National Volunteer Week, I also want to share the tremendous impact you’ve had over this past year: Volunteers have contributed their time, energy, and expertise, totaling an incredible 28,546 hours of service. We also welcomed 1,592 volunteers onsite at all four of our locations! From packing food boxes to help support our partner pantries, to distributing food to seniors in need at the mobile pantries, to helping put together mailings at home, you play a critical role in every aspect of our work.
At a time when everything we knew about the world changed, you made a choice to be light in the darkness, and I want to say, “Thank you.”
Whether you volunteered in person or worked on projects virtually or at home, whether you helped a neighbor or sent a note to someone who was alone, you chose kindness. You chose service. You chose to embrace your neighbors’ humanity, which forms the building blocks of the Food Bank’s mission and moves us to keep progressing. Just like Walt Disney said, “We keep moving forward, opening up new doors, and doing new things.” I’m thankful you are standing with us as we look ahead.