Volunteering Is So Much More Than Your Time

On Saturday afternoon I had no clue what to expect. I was told is show up with closed toed shoes and a willingness to learn.  The Illinos Field Mom's program has yet to let me down.  

Several Illinois Field Moms signed up to assist the Northern Illinois Food Bank with their mission. We were also joined by Michelle Aavang - farmer, Pam Jenssen – farmer and Tim Maiers from the Illinois Pork Producers Association. Last year the food bank distributed 50 million pounds to 13 northern Illinois counties not including Cook (Chicago and suburbs).  In 2012 500,000 people were feed thanks to the efforts of the food bank.  What is amazing is the food bank receive no federal or state funding.  Instead 75% of the food is donated from everyday citizens.  The federal emergency food program makes up 10% and 15% of the food is purchased by the food bank.

The building is tucked back in the middle of a business park and the atmosphere is electrifying.  My first impression is pure excitement to be part of something bigger than just pallets of food.  We were here for two reasons.  First, the Illinois Field Moms program donated 780 pounds of frozen pork to the food bank. The donation was made possible through the harvest proceeds from the Illinois Field Moms' corn acre, soybean acre and pig pen.

Donated Frozen Pork.

Second, we wanted to volunteer our time. After a brief training session, the coordinator placed us at the meat/fish sorting station. For efficiency, we were divided into three groups.

·      One group sorted the meat to ensure the packaging was sealed. (Opened product was set aside for the wild animals in the forest.)

·      The second group wiped off the grocery store label so a new label could be affixed. This step was necessary to ensure the meat/fish was not returned to the grocery store.

·      The last group worked on repacking the meat into 20 pound boxes. The food bank’s goal was for each box to have an assortment of meat and fish. Would you want 20 pounds of frozen haddock?

I am proud to say that as a group we repacked five pallets, which totaled over 8000 pounds of meat and fish.

Myself, Pam and Susan Working the Sticker Line. No I am not pregnant, just not standing up straight.

I worked on relabeling the product.  Pretty easy job until the fish showed up.  Frozen fish at the expiration date stunk to the high heavens. Everyone knew when we were relabeling the stinky fish. The group that assembled the 20 pound boxes avoided us due to the stink.  Ha, good times.

At the end of the day 8000 pounds of meat does not seem like a lot of food for 13 counties but hopefully our efforts will make an impact on someone's hungry belly.  The meat and fish were first quality, the stuff I would buy.  There were no duds in the group, just protein that had reached the expiration date.

If you are looking for a worthy organization to donate your time, I suggestion volunteering at the Northern Illinois Food Bank.  Have you donated your time to a food bank?  If so, where?

Sharon, The Mayor