Gleaner's Drive-Thru Food Bank

A small crew of J.C. Hart volunteers signed up to work a shift at Gleaners drive-thru Food Bank in January. It was something we had not done before, but something we knew was important and much needed. According to Gleaners website, “Last year alone, nearly 10,000 volunteers assisted in our food pantry and in our warehouse and helped process more than 2 million meals worth of food. Every volunteer hour can help provide up to 206 meals so any time you can donate will make a difference in our community.” That means the 3.5 hours that we worked helped to provide 2,884 meals to Gleaners’ clients. In order to operate, Gleaners needs approximately 300 volunteers per week to meet the demand for their services. That includes sorting and organizing food donations, helping folks shop in their on-site pantry, and serving families who drive through their mobile food distribution line on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and some Saturdays. When you learn there are more than 1 million Hoosiers statewide who are in need of food assistance, it’s not hard to figure out why the need for volunteers is so great and why it can feel so rewarding to lend a hand at Gleaners, as it did to the four of us. It was our first time to volunteer for Gleaners, but I’m sure it won’t be our last.