Resolution 2022: Volunteers make local nonprofits’ work possible

In reflecting on 2021, the Linn Community Food Bank met and overcame many challenges presented by the pandemic. We had to change our business-as-usual food distribution model in order to keep our volunteers and clients safe from exposure to COVID.

However, in July we returned to a somewhat normal operation still working to keep our volunteers and clients as safe as possible. We are an all-volunteer organization from board president on down. Needless to say, we would not be able to serve the food insecure of our community without this strong commitment from our volunteers.

I think, like all nonprofits in the area, the need for volunteers was and still is our biggest challenge in operating the food bank. We are open five days a week so it takes many people to keep us going. We had several of our volunteers step back during the pandemic. We were fortunate to have several new volunteers step up and work. We have seen many of our previous volunteers come back to us with the availability of the COVID vaccine. I want to give a huge thank you to our corps of volunteers for their dedication to the food bank and their service to the food insecure of our community.

If anyone in the community is looking for volunteer opportunities, please check out our website at linncommunityfoodbank.org.

Jane Suiter is president of Linn County Food Bank.