From WILL - WILLConnect: Stories - November 15, 2011

Hunger in Illinois: How You Can Help

Are you interested in helping community efforts to address hunger in east central Illinois? Below are some opportunities to get involved.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS FOOD BANK

There are several ways to volunteer, participate and advocate at the Central Illinois Food Bank.

EASTERN ILLINOIS FOODBANK

Warehouse Sorting: Individuals are needed to help sort products in the warehouse Mondays thru Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Fridays from 7 a.m. to noon. Duties will involve sorting through product and organizing and stocking shelves. Volunteers will need to be able to stand for long periods of time.

SNAP Information Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to assist the SNAP Outreach Coordinator with providing information to possible SNAP (food stamp) recipients. This is a great internship opportunity for students in the school of social work or anyone interested in human services. Training would be provided. Volunteers will attend informational events that fit with their schedules (events occur any day of the week) and hand out materials, take questions, etc. For more information on this position download the SNAP Information Volunteer/Intern job description.

Foodmobile Captains: A few committed individuals are needed that would be interested in being a lead volunteer at the foodmobiles. Foodmobiles are mobile food pantries that are sent to areas of need within 14 counties. A truckload of food is brought to a host site and distributed. To find out more about foodmobiles visit the foodmobiles page or download the Foodmobile Captain job description if you're interested in becoming a volunteer leader with this project.

SALAVATION ARMY DANVILLE CORPS

Volunteers are needed for the food pantry on Tuesday and Fridays between 1 and 3:30 p.m. If interested, fill out an volunteer application.

WESLEY EVENING FOOD PANTRY

Refrigerator Truck (once a month): Loan of a truck and driver once a month to pick up one to three pallets of refrigerated items at Eastern Illinois Foodbank on the third Thursday of the month and keep them cold through the end of distribution (approximately 8 p.m.).

Area Coordinators: Area Coordinators are volunteers who supervise the same tasks every month. Ability to attend second Thursday planning meeting helpful. Current needs are: --Parking Lot Coordinator, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday --Waiting Area Coordinator, 3 to 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday, bi-lingual in English and Spanish --Cleanup Coordinator, 7 to 9:30 p.m. on the third Thursday --Communications Coordinator, write newsletter articles and email announcements on your own schedule --Donations Coordinator, Tuesday or Thursday afternoons, keep track of donations received and send thank-you notes

Spanish-Speaking Volunteers: Volunteers who are bi-lingual in English and Spanish, particularly those willing to work most months, are needed 3:15 to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday.

Office Assistant: Organized volunteer needed two or three afternoons a week as assistant to the director. Must be comfortable with MS Office and enjoy finding creative solutions to problems.

For more information, call (217) 344-1120 or visit their website.