Food bank offers volunteer opportunities

Lamar University students often need service hours before graduation. No matter the reason, the Southeast Texas Food Bank is a nearby nonprofit organization that gives students opportunities to gain these hours.

“Statistically, we are one of the most food insecure territories according to Feeding America data,” Harvey Zernial, Southeast Texas Food Bank president and CEO, said. “Our overall food insecurity rate is at 18.1%, which is one in six people in our service territory can not or do not provide three healthy, nutritious meals a day, which ranks 11th worst in the nation. But when you get to the child food insecurity rate, those that cannot fend for themselves, our rate is 32.1% and the worst in the nation. Almost one in three children are going without meals.”

The food bank, like other nonprofits, needs volunteers to help in their efforts. For Lamar students, the food bank is close to campus and easy to access for those wishing to help.

“Volunteering is a huge commodity for any non-profit organization, and the best way to get involved if a student,” Zernial said. “This can be on site at the Food Bank or off site with coordinated food drives and/or fundraisers. It all helps accomplish the goals.”

For those wishing to get involved, the food bank offers many ways.

“Volunteers can find numerous volunteer activities by going to our website and clicking on the volunteer tab,” Zernial said. “We have senior box assemblies and food sorting almost daily. We also have produce bagging to help support our holiday distributions. In the spring, we will have opportunities to work in our enrichment garden. Also, from our website’s “Need Help” tab, you can see all the agency partnerships by county and days they are open, and can reach out and volunteer here as well.”

While they do have many other activities, senior box assemblies are different in what they entail and what volunteers are expected to do.

“Senior box assembly is one of the hardest volunteer activities that we have,” Zernial said. “This is the assembly of a 30 pound box of food that will be distributed each month to over 2,800 seniors that battle with food insecurity.” “This activity is an assembly line production with staged food to be put in the boxes rolling down a conveyor to the next station. At the end, these boxes get taped and put on a pallet to be wrapped for delivery.”

Looking past volunteering for the food bank, there are other ways to support these efforts.

“There are many ways to support what we do as a food bank,” Zernial said. “Volunteering not only at the food bank itself but at the many local food pantries helps our work as well. Sharing our services beyond food is another way to support.” “We have Nutrition Education classes, Outreach enrollment benefits coordinators, our Mobile Market program, and a financial coach. These services are all provided free of charge. Supporting the food bank can also be in organizing an event such as a food drive or a fundraising event.”

Along with the activities listed above, Zernial said that giving f inancially can help as well, as they use those funds to buy food wholesale. Doing this, “every dollar [they] spend on food, this equates to three meals”.

In addition to this, Jimmy Sparks, chief administrative officer, said that following the food bank on social media can help as well. Those finding a passion within the nonprofit field can pursue careers in it as well. Both Zernial and Sparks said that helping others and working for nonprofit are rewarding.

“Nonprofit work is a very rewarding career,” Zernial said. “I would recommend that the student first finds an opportunity to volunteer at a nonprofit. There are so many, and they differ in resources and services offered. To be in a career in the nonprofit world, you must find your passion, what drives you to want to do this work.

“The more excited and happy you are to go to work every day, the better servant you will be in that role. Be prepared, as the nonprofit world may not be where the best paying jobs are, but I will say some of the most rewarding work comes from this field. You see your impact every day."

Anyone wishing to volunteer or find more information can visit setxfoodbank.org.

Photo by Rayna Christy