Johnson County hunger relief nonprofit Table to Table seeks volunteers

IOWA CITY — Table to Table (T2T), a volunteer-based Iowa City organization that rescues and delivers half the food distributed to food-insecure people in Johnson County, seeks volunteers to bolster their local food rescue operations and tackle summer produce initiatives. T2T relies on essential volunteers to carry out the organization’s critical mission of building vital connections between abundance and hunger in Johnson County by keeping good food from going to waste and feeding neighbors in need. Volunteers transport over 40,000 pounds of food weekly to agencies throughout Johnson County that serve food-insecure populations.

During the quickly-approaching growing season, additional volunteers are needed to “glean” or harvest excess fresh produce from local farm fields and orchards and rescue unsold food at the end of farmers markets. T2T also invites members of the public to “Grow a Row” for T2T: Plant a row in your home garden and bring the harvest to T2T to distribute to local food pantries. T2T is open for produce donations from farmers and gardeners at their new location in Pepperwood Plaza, 1049 US-6 E., Iowa City, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Last year, T2T volunteers distributed more than 50,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables donated by local farmers and gardeners, some via free Produce Pop-ups in neighborhoods in partnership with food pantries, increasing access for all in our area to nutrient-rich foods.

Volunteer opportunities include: gleaning (harvesting produce at farms and orchards); driving or riding in T2T vans on food rescue routes to pick up, pack, and deliver food; helping prep vans and fill them with boxes for their routes; refueling T2T’s vehicles; and more. Time commitments vary from weekly volunteer shifts to being on a short-notice substitute list to help when available. Anybody ages 8 and up is encouraged to volunteer (minors accompanied by an adult). T2T volunteers experience benefits to themselves in addition to the benefits to the community: feelings of belonging and a sense of community, and strong connections with those they volunteer with. Community members looking for impactful work to do with their spare time are encouraged to contact T2T at volunteer@table2table.org or (319) 337-3400.