I recently had a wonderful experience volunteering for Food Assistance, Inc., here in Greensboro. The charitable organization serves low-income and disabled senior citizens through their "Groceries on Wheels" program, which supplies bags of food to seniors in Greensboro and throughout Guilford County. So, on a Saturday morning a few weeks ago, some members of the Greensboro Social meetup group that I belong to got together to work in the warehouse at Food Assistance, Inc., preparing bags of groceries for other volunteers to deliver.
The warehouse was impressive and well-organized, with pallets of such foods as bread, canned goods, and even fresh produce, all donated from grocery stores and other organizations or private individuals. There was also a bank of freezers that held donations of frozen vegetables, microwave entrees, and even some treats like ice cream. It all looked great, and I liked the thought of someone being able to enjoy some ice cream, even when they are living in otherwise challenging circumstances. I know that people who can really appreciate the small pleasures in life are truly the happiest.
As you might expect, the warehouse wasn't air-conditioned, but Food Assistance had very kindly set up some large fans that gave some relief, and they supplied us with cool drinks that kept us going nicely. I was fortunate enough to be working in the freezer section, making bags of frozen foods to supplement the fresh food, but it was busy enough that I still worked up quite a sweat, running around from freezer to freezer!
We packed bags as quickly as could, to fill the orders of volunteer drivers who were going to deliver the food to the individuals and families on their routes. Every volunteer needed several bags, so we were hopping! At morning's end, we were done--a bit tired and sweaty, but feeling great that we were able to help out. Volunteering is a truly rewarding activity--you always get more out of it than you put in. The seniors not only get food to help them throughout the month but also the extremely important and much-appreciated care and support of the volunteer drivers, who visit with them and are able to check on them to ensure all is well. Some of the volunteers are kids, who really put a smile on the older folks' faces!
To learn more about Food Assistance, Inc., the Groceries on Wheels program, to volunteer or to donate, please visit their website http://www.foodassistancenc.com/ and check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FoodAssistanceIncGroceriesOnWheels?fref=ts
You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!
Food Assistance logo used with permission.
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