Volunteer News
Spring 2014
News From Missoula Food Bank

National Volunteer Month 

 

In 2013, Missoula Food Bank volunteers served 16,846 hours collectively - that's equal to $379,877.30 in wages according to the nonprofit quarterly!

 

In March 2014, 221 volunteers served 1,521.25 hours - equal to $34,304.19 in wages!

  

Thank you Missoula Food Bank volunteers!   You make it possible for thousands of people in Missoula County to access good, nutritious food when times are hard, and cupboards are bare.  You are a priceless gift!  

 

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~Anne Frank

  

Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.

~Author Unknown

 Volunteer Openings
  

 

Putt-putt for the Food Bank!  Thursday, May 1st - Friendly volunteers (21+) are needed to help with the Inaugural Craft Beer Cup!  This is a traveling mini-golf tournament, sponsored by nine craft brewers and hosted between nine downtown locations.  Shifts available from 5:30-8:00pm, and 8:00-10:30pm.  This promises to be a fun one!!  Learn more at www.missoulabeerweek.com.  Contact Stevie (stevie@missoulafoodbank.org) to sign up! 

  

Weekly:  Breakfast Volunteers are needed to help prepare fresh foods for our Kids Shelf, and healthy snacks for our waiting room.  8-9am daily. Contact Krystin for more details! 

 

Kids Table:  June 9- August 31:  Spend time this summer preparing healthy meals and snacks for area kids at risk of hunger.  Volunteers will team up in the Food Circle room to keep kids nourished and healthy.  Multiple shifts available, so many opportunities to help!

 

Mondays:        7:00-8:00am

                        3:00-5:30pm

Tuesdays:        8:00-10:30am

Wednesdays:  10:30am-1:00pm

Thursdays:       3:00-5:30pm

Dear Volunteers: 

 

For over 15 years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve our community and to work with many extraordinary staff, Board Directors, volunteers, and Missoula Food Bank clients. Our food bank is moving forward into a new era - new location and perhaps program expansion. After much deliberation and self-realization, I felt it was time for me to re-evaluate my role as Executive Director and to support our mission in a different way.

I will be retiring my position as Executive Director. I hope to play a vital role in defining and supporting the transition team in hiring a new leader, a process that may take several months. In the meantime, I will maintain all of my current responsibilities and keep us on course with mission, vision, and core values.

I look forward to the future and plan to continue my commitment by taking on a new role which raises excitement in my heart and hopefully, will raise to a new level our financial capacity for the continuation of excellent services to those who are experiencing hunger, or may be at risk of hunger. Subsequent to the hiring of a new Executive Director, I will still be one of the fold as Missoula Food Bank's Development Director.    

Each day when I come to work I am in awe of everything I see around me - volunteers stocking shelves and packing beans, rice and oats, food rescues coming in hourly from all over town, re-packing of prepared food, and so much more.   I have never considered my position as just a "job", rather a chance, if only in small ways, to make a positive difference in other people's lives. Now it is time for me, and for all of us, to celebrate the past 15 years of our growth and organizational development and to visualize new possibilities. I see the future of our food bank as bright and full of promise, and full of hopefulness for the children, seniors, and families who come to us for a little extra help.  

Sincerely,

Cynthia Lotty


Volunteer Spotlight:  Ryan Ward

 

Krystin (KG): When and why did you start volunteering at the Food Bank?

Ryan (RW) : Let's see...I think it was about two years ago, in March or April of 2012. My mom and dad had both volunteered at different times, and they said it was a good place to volunteer. I enjoyed volunteer work, I'd done some other stuff, and I really liked it, so I decided to try to get a spot at the Food Bank. It was a natural choice for me. They'd always had positive experiences there.

KG: What else did you do?

RW: I volunteered at the Farmer's Market in Boulder, CO doing recycling. I also volunteered at this place called Emergency Family Assistance EFA, where I volunteered picking up furniture donations.

KG: You do so many different volunteer jobs when you're here. Which one is your favorite, and why?

RW: There's really not much that I don't enjoy. I enjoy all the jobs that I do, so it's hard to find a favorite. I like sorting, I like doing O shelf, and I like boxing. They're all fun in different ways. A lot of things, once you get the hang of it, are not too hard. It just takes practice.

KG: And your favorite?

RW: My favorite? I like putting the pastries out from COSTCO in the mornings. I just like to see all the stuff that comes in and I like stocking it and trying to make it look nice. I have a lot of different favorites, actually. I don't really know why I like doing bread. I guess I just like bread.

KG: If the Food Bank could talk, what do you think it would say?

RW: Well, I think it would say that, there's a need for food, and we live in a country where people should be fed. We're pretty sophisticated in other ways, and especially for families with kids, we should make sure people have the basic things they need to survive. I think we do a good job of providing that. It speaks to something else going on in our society that there's that need. If there is that need, we should respond to it. It's just something people shouldn't have to go without: food.

KG: You've joked with me before about being here so much that you might just make a bed for yourself in the loft above the middle warehouse. What would be the first thing you would do when you woke up if you found yourself here at 7 a.m.? What would be the last thing you would do before you went to bed?

RW: First, I have to clarify, because Jen said she was going to force me to do that. What would I do first thing in the morning? Well, I'd go make coffee! And before bed, I'd make sure all the doors were locked.

KG: What would you listen to on our radio during the day?

RW: That rock n' roll song Takin' Care of Business.

KG: The Food Bank staff is participating in a mid-winter blues buster challenge where we'll set goals to make our winter days a little easier. It seems like you're always sharing your personal goals with us when you come volunteer, and I really love to hear about them. Can you tell me a little bit more about some of the goals you've set for yourself and reached recently?

RW: Well, my mom and I both went at least 6 months without potato chips or french fries. And I went 3 months without Diet Coke. I know I can do it again if I wanted. I lost 15 pounds.

KG: What do you like to do when you're not volunteering with us or working at UM Concessions?

RW: Oh, skiing this year! I used to be really big on skiing, and I went for a long time without skiing, so it's nice to get re-acquainted. I also like cooking dinner with my mom and watching American Idol.

KG: Who is your pick to win this season's American Idol?

RW: I think Majesty is my pick. I just think she's quirky and has something different than what's already out there. There's a unique sound to her, and that's what you need to win. And I think she's talented, too.

KG: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be, and why?

RW: I'd have to say Hawaii, just to get some sunshine. And I love how it smells: like green, tropical flowers.

KG: Choose one:

Diet Coke, or Potato Chips? That's a trick question. Um, I'll have to go with potato chips.

Apples or Oranges? Definitely oranges.

Mountains or Beaches? I'd say beaches.

Britney Spears or Ke$ha? Britney Spears.

KG: Anything else you want to tell me?

RW: I always have a good time when I work with you guys! 

 Save the Date: 
  
Saturday, May 10th:  Stamp Out Hunger
This is the day when our friendly neighborhood postal carriers collect literal tons of food from the doorsteps of people all over Missoula!  This is an important drive for Missoula Food Bank, as it helps to keep our nonperishable shelves stocked during the summer months, when donations slow.  To participate, just set a bag of nonperishables by your mailbox, and the Post Office will do the rest! 
  
  
Wednesday, May 28th:  1:30-2:30pm
Jane Guest with WORD will be at Missoula Food Bank to help us all learn more about WORD's diverse programs, and how we can best refer appropriate clients to their services. 
219 S. Third Street West
Missoula, MT 59801
www.missoulafoodbank.org