SAN ANTONIO – School is out, and families looking for a meaningful way to keep their children busy this summer can spend a few hours volunteering at the San Antonio Food Bank.
Across 29 counties, the San Antonio Food Bank feeds more than 105,000 people every week. Therefore, the process takes a lot of food and a lot of helping hands.
“There are a lot of people that need food support, and so I feel like this is just a really good way to make a direct impact for our community,” said volunteer Melissa Webb.
The Webb family tries to volunteer at the food bank several times throughout the summer.
“I think especially right now it’s really important with the way the economy is, the high gas prices and the rising cost of groceries,” Webb added.
Webb’s children range from 7 to 17 years old. She says that the hardest part is getting them up and out of bed, but once they’re here, they really get into the tasks they’re assigned.
“Kind of racing the clock to see how many bags they can bag and how productive they can be. So, it becomes a real fun activity for them,” Webb said.
Her 10-year-old son, Samuel, was in charge of filling bags with beans. It’s a small task, but it’s one that he knows makes an impact.
“It feels like I’m actually helping instead of just staying and doing nothing,” Samuel said.
San Antonio Food Bank Director of Volunteer Services Liz Johanek says that giving your time is just as crucial as donating money or food.
“Shifts vary based on what you’re doing. The one that is most family-friendly is two and a half hours, and we have it twice a day. So, in the morning and in the afternoon,” Johanek said.
Johanek says the food bank needs help seven days a week. And now that they’ve started the summer meals for kids, the demand has only increased.
“Students who are used to getting meals in school are now out of school, and so we are trying to fill those gaps,” Johanek stated.
If you want to learn more about how to volunteer, click here.
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