Fresh Food Initiative

freshfoods1 - fresh food on shelfLiving poor leads to tough choices everyday.  In our Kalamazoo Edison neighborhood, 11,000 people live with a median income of $10,000. 

That means fresh vegetables and fruits are not on the daily menu.  It's a choice that is made in hundreds of homes every day in Kalamazoo. 

Poor health is a critical issue for urban dwellers such as these.  The incidence of diabetes, high blood pressure, and many others are much higher for the urban poor of Kalamazoo.  They can't afford the fresh fruits and vegetables that they need.

Let's make a difference...

We are looking for people to partner with us in giving away fresh fruits and vegetables to hundreds of families this summer. 

Thru a Fresh Foods partnership, we have an amazing opportunity.  The food is provided, the location is waiting...we simply need hands and feet.  Tons of food will go undistributed simply because there is no one willing to show up and give it.

Everything is provided.  The distribution location is ready.  Our volunteers simply need to hand out the food at the distribution location!

DATES/TIMES:  Tuesdays, 7:30 am-9:00 am, June 19th - September 24th

INTERESTED?  contact our office - 269.327.0445

ROLES:  see descriptions below

1. Volunteers to assist with distribution of food at neighborhood sites

Duties include:

  • Assist with set up beginning at 7:45am by bringing out tables and chairs and other items needed to serve participants.
  • Help with unloading truck and dividing up food according to quantity slip provided by Food Bank
  • Hand out slip for participants to fill out before getting food
  • Collect participant's filled out paperwork
  • Ensure that participant lines maintain order
  • Assist with the distribution of food items to participants according to guidelines given to us by the Food Bank.
  • Ensure that all participants go through the line at least once before distribution of any excess foods (if there is any).
  • Ensure that Northside site has its designated amount of food product per Food Banks list.
  • Assist with cleaning up debris (cardboard boxes, putting tables and chairs back into building)

Approximate time commitment per week: 1 to 1 ½ hours

Number of volunteers needed: 3 to 6

 

2.      Volunteer "back up" driver

Duties include:

  • Being available at least once a month (on Tuesday mornings) to pick up the rental truck from Starr Truck Rental (may wish to ride along some Tuesdays with regular driver)
  • When regular driver is not available, drive to the Food Bank of South Central Michigan in Battle Creek (located in Fort Custer Industrial Park on ) to pick up products to be given out at the Neighborhood office at 1301 East Main St. by 8am
  • Assist with distributing food products to low income residents at site
  • Assist other volunteers with cleaning up the site after distribution
  • Make sure Northside site has it allotted amount of product per Food Bank list.
  • Drive truck to N. Burdick St. site by 9am to finish food distribution at Northside site
  • Take truck back to rental site.

Approximate time commitment per week: 3 hours

Number of volunteers needed: 1 to 3