National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 10–16. Saying a simple “thank you” to our volunteers just does not seem adequate. Nearly 20,000 hours have been donated to Loaves & Fishes by more than 300 volunteers during the past year! Without their help, we simply could not continue to lift and feed our neighbors.
Our volunteers help with every facet of the operation. There are drivers who pick up donations and deliver them to the pantry, those who help us offload our orders from the Greater Boston Food Bank, those who date-check donations and stock our shelves, and those who glean from area gardens and orchards. There are those who work directly with our clients and those who choose to work behind the scenes supporting us administratively, in our clothing room, or with facility maintenance projects. Still others give their professional talents to manage our finances, marketing, and outreach efforts or serve on our board of directors.
Through their collective efforts, Loaves & Fishes was able to provide food last year to more than 800 families from Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. Perhaps most importantly, their willingness to give provided hope to many in our community. To each and every one of our volunteers, my sincere thanks.
Patricia A. Stern, executive director
Loaves & Fishes
