Volunteer Beet: April 2024

Apr 1, 2024

Hi Volunteer,

Lettuce celebrate! National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 21-27!

We're thrilled to have amazing volunteers like you at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Without your incredible efforts, we'd need a team of 45 full-time staff members to do what you do every month!

In the last year, you've helped us serve food to over 142,000 of our neighbors facing food insecurity. So cheers to you-Warehouse, Distribution Site, Food Connections Market, Kitchen Collective, Food Connections Office, Drivers, and Food Drive Volunteers-we cannot End Hunger in Our Community without you!

VOLUNTEER AGAIN

Meet Walt, our April 2024 Volunteer of the Month! Since 2003, Walt's been a familiar face at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and community needs surged, Walt stepped up big time. As a Volunteer Lead, he keeps our warehouse operations running smoothly, lending a hand with produce bagging, box packing, and more. With over 4,500 volunteer hours accumulated in his 14-year journey with us, Walt's dedication shines through. Let's give a big cheer to Walt and his amazing contributions!

Fun Facts About Walt:
- He's an avid runner with over 50,000 miles under his belt since 1976.
- He's been a licensed Ham Radio operator for over 50 years.
- Walt worked as a deckhand on freighters that sailed worldwide.

Volunteer Needs

We are looking for W5 Volunteers for our Distribution Sites who are willing to use our computer to register participants. Please see preferred qualifications below:

Bilingual in Spanish and English
Team player
Kind and respectful
Good customer service skills
Comfortable with technology
Able to work in varying environments (rain or shine!)
Able to commit regularly at distribution site(s)

W5 Volunteers needed at the following sites:

Santa Rosa Community Health Dutton - Mondays from 12-2pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Park - Mondays from 12:45-2:45pm
Economic Assistance Center - Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30pm
SR Vets AM - Thursdays from 8-10:30am
Petaluma Community Center - Thursdays from 11am-1pm
SR Vets PM - Thursdays from 3-5:30pm
Petaluma Fairgrounds - Fridays from 8:15-11am
Kaiser MOB 5 - 1st & 3rd Saturdays from 8-11am

If you are interested, please contact our Distribution Site Volunteer Coordinator, Katie, at kkarns@refb.org or call 707-523-7900.

Noteworthy News & Events

Volunteer Feedback Survey

We'd love to hear about your volunteer experience so that we can continue to provide safe, fun, and meaningful opportunities for all. Fill out this survey and we'll enter you into a raffle-just be sure to include your email and name. Lucky winners will receive a gift card to Target!

>> TAKE VOLUNTEER FEEDBACK SURVEY <<

Volunteer Portal Training: Galaxy Digital

We will be hosting an open Q&A about our Volunteer Portal-Galaxy Digital-on April 17, from 12-1pm. Learn how to manage shifts, volunteer hours, and create teams. Bring your laptop, check in in the lobby, and enjoy coffee while we teach you the ropes. For more details, or to schedule another training, please contact Caden at cdowning@refb.org or 707-523-7900 ext. 114.

By The Numbers:

Your accomplishments in March 2024

Punch Out Hunger

Whenever you volunteer at the Redwood Empire Food Bank, you get a punch on a reward card. Collect 10 punches and be entered to win!

Congrats to our March winners:

$25 Friedman's Home Improvement Gift Card - Patty S.
$20 Retrograde Coffee Gift Card & Beanie - Dennis R.
Three Sisters Apothecary Soap and Lotion Set - John M.

Feeling lucky? We're doubling the fun in April for Volunteer Appreciation Week! See below for prizes:

Osmosis Spa Package
Screamin' Mimi's $10 Gift Card
Free Nothing Bundt Cake for a year
4 admission passes to Cal Skate
Peanuts themed prize bag
Three Sisters Apothecary Soap & Lotion Set

Swag Store

Explore an array of merchandise-from sweaters to beanies, umbrellas to water bottles-you can wear your commitment to Ending Hunger in Our Community!

VISIT SWAG SHOP

Your time is valuable. Thank you for spending it at the Redwood Empire Food Bank, helping us End Hunger in Our Community.

Redwood Empire Food Bank
Tax ID: 68-0121855 | 3990 Brickway Blvd
Santa Rosa, CA 95403 US

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