Share volunteers nourish the community
By Rachel Friederich, Serve Washington Communications
VANCOUVER, Wash.--At the heart of Share's mission to combat food insecurity are the dedicated volunteers who power its meal programs. From school backpack initiatives to hot meals served daily, these volunteers embody the spirit of service, ensuring that thousands in the community have access to nutritious food.
Feeding futures: Backpack Program
Each week, Share's Backpack program delivers over 1,200 meal bags to 90 participating schools, ensuring that children have access to food over the weekends. With a well-orchestrated production line, volunteers organize, sort, fill, and distribute these essential food packs. During the 36-week school year, 200 volunteers contribute 2,500 hours to this program.
Summer support: summer meals program
During the summer months, when school meal programs are unavailable, Share's Summer Meals program steps in, serving over 12,050 meals at more than 20 sites. Volunteers prepare meals-chopping fruits and vegetables, assembling sandwiches, and packing lunches-and also serve as drivers to ensure the food reaches children and families in need. In 2024, 310 volunteers dedicated 2,358 to this program.
"Our volunteers are not just helping children to receive a nutritious meal; they are also helping them to avoid the 'summer slide' in school," said Jessica Lightheart, SHARE's community relations director. She noted that a lack of nutritious food can have a negative impact on student academic performance.
The hot meals program
For individuals and families experiencing homelessness or financial hardship, SHARE's Hot Meals program provides a lifeline. Serving free meals 365 days a year-three times a day on weekdays and twice on weekends-the program provided 80,000 meals to people experiencing food insecurity in 2024. According to Lightheart, 300 volunteers served more than 6,000 hours to this program.
It's a program popular among community volunteer groups. For example, First United Methodist Church congregation, for instance, has prepared and served lunch on the second Thursday of every month for an incredible 42 years.
A Community United in Service
By the end of 2024, 1,020 SHARE volunteers have collectively donated over15,985 hours of service.
"Share volunteers come from all walks of life: business owners and professionals, members of faith communities, homemakers, military personnel, retirees, college students, and children and teenagers volunteering with parents," Lighheart said. "We couldn't do what we do without volunteers."
Learn about Share's volunteer opportunities and sign up to volunteer: https://sharevancouver.org/volunteer/
