This week, I decided to spend my volunteer time with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia at the Basilica of St. Mary Church. Volunteers would do the Food Pantry Distribution. It was my first time at this location on Holt Street in Norfolk, Virginia. We started at 8 a.m. Today was not the day to hit snooze on my alarm. After a quick breakfast, I arrived just in time to start the four-hour shift.
Volunteers and coordinators arrived an hour early to do the setup and preparation. Distribution started at 9. We had to organize and package the items in a portable, convenient way as best we could. There was an assortment of canned goods, dairy products, meat, fruit, including watermelon and vegetables like potatoes. We had many hands to help. It may have been close to fifteen people on deck to organize, pack, move, and stack things. The photos are a glance at our organized result of half the items to be toted away. Each household got two brown paper bags, then meat, a gallon of milk, and snacks.
About 45 minutes after starting, the initial packed supply had been depleted, and we had to pack on demand. It was hectic, but we were all flexible and jumped in wherever needed. The biggest challenge was keeping up with the meatpacking and milk since we had to run back to the kitchen where those items were being kept cool, but we got it all done. I am sure we fed close to 200 households today.
A big challenge I saw was that many people who arrived to pick up food did not have a cart or any means to carry all these heavy, bulky items back to their car if they had one. Some people rode up on bicycles or walked. I struggled just to lift a paper bag of canned goods with another paper bag of vegetables and bread from one table to the next at the same time. People without a cart had to walk at least ~25 feet down the aisle to the door to get back outside and then to a vehicle while carrying two paper bags, a gallon of milk, and two plastic bags of meat. Imagine that. We had a few shopping carts, and those available were to transport heavy items back and forth from the kitchen and storage. Volunteers helped the elderly as we could. I think that this problem is something to be figured out.
This church was my first volunteer location doing food distribution inside. At some outdoor sites, people pull up in their vehicles, volunteers load, and then the person drives off. It was seamless, fewer hands involved (no contact) at those locations, and the lines moved quickly. There was more effort here to manage and control the flow of people and maintain social distance. Not only did volunteers have to wear gloves, but everyone who picked up was given a pair of gloves at the door. I was glad that I made it out to this location. It is interesting to see how each site operates a little differently and still gets the job done.
Everyone I met today smiled and had a positive attitude. The most memorable part of today’s experience was the conversation and laughter. We introduced ourselves to each other, and I walked away remembering most of the volunteers’ names. Well, that’s because we were constantly communicating across the church. “Ms. Vivian, how many of these energy drinks should he get?” “Kenny, we need more meat.” We executed the day through collaboration and team effort. Another wonderful and fun Wednesday! I wonder if I can go back tomorrow?