Check out our newest edition of Stories of Hope, the Second Harvest Heartland newsletter. In this issue you’ll find:

- How young volunteers are bringing a new energy to Second Harvest Heartland’s volunteer program.

- How Roel Ramos, one of our eight order fulfillment specialists, plays an essential part in getting food out to those looking for a bridge to stability during tough times.

- A special tribute to Barb Miller, a very special friend and committed supporter of our hunger-relief efforts, who we lost this March.

- How the Saint Paul Auto Group used the power of social media to rev up its annual “Drive Against Hunger” Food & Fund Drive.

- And much more!

When you think of Second Harvest Heartland volunteers, you likely picture people in a warehouse packing boxes and sorting food. In many cases, this is an accurate image of our ‘traditional’ volunteers, who are crucial in our fight against hunger. But there are other volunteers who are just as crucial but not quite as visible. Second Harvest Heartland volunteers also answer phones, help with data entry and assist with other administrative work. They help keep our day-to-day operations humming! Elise Saggau and Jerri Freier, two of our dedicated data entry specialists, are part of a legion of behind-the-scenes volunteers whose inconspicuous work is absolutely vital to the daily operations at Second Harvest Heartland.

In 2011, nearly 12,000 volunteers collectively contributed time equivalent to 29 full-time employees.
With that many volunteers, Elise and Jerri’s work entering volunteer hours into the system and managing the volunteer database is vital to making our volunteer program run so smoothly.

“Second Harvest Heartland is trying to get food to those who need it and volunteers help make that possible,” said Jerri. “So, my little task of entering and confirming data just helps make sure those volunteers are able to volunteer, are recognized for volunteering and, hopefully, return to volunteer more so Second Harvest Heartland can help get food to those who need it.”

Like a lot of our volunteers, Elise and Jerri contribute time to Second Harvest Heartland because they believe in our mission of fighting hunger and helping those in need in our community. “I feel I’m part of a large and very efficient operation that is dedicated to feeding the hungry, and that is very important to my personal value system,” said Elise. “From the beginning of my work with Second Harvest, I have been made to feel very welcome and appreciated. While entering data can be very tedious, I am actually seeing the wide reach of Second Harvest Heartland as I review the generosity of so many persons of many ages, cultures and walks of life who volunteer their time and talent for the sake of this mission.”

More than anything, Elise and Jerri realize the impact they have on Second Harvest Heartland’s ability to operate in the most efficient way possible. “I know that what I do is essential to the organization. Doing
it as a volunteer is the equivalent of a significant financial contribution which I am not able to make from my personal resources,” said Elise.

We are fortunate that volunteers like Elise and Jerri are willing to do the unrecognized and often unglamorous jobs for the sake of our commitment to the community. They, along with our wide network of volunteers, partners and donors, are the heart of Second Harvest Heartland, and we couldn’t be more thankful.

Second Harvest Heartland depends on our wide network of volunteers to provide support to the nearly 1,000 programs, food shelves, soup kitchens and shelters in our far-reaching service area. While a great extent of our volunteer base provides physical support—sorting food, labeling cans, packing boxes, picking apples, and more—an important, and often less-known volunteer area, are skill-based opportunities.

Two volunteers in particular—Nancy Zingale and George Golden—have been offering their professional skills and talent to Second Harvest Heartland for years by being key members of the Speakers Bureau. Our Speakers Bureau, run by volunteers who represent Second Harvest Heartland by speaking to groups and educating them about hunger and the services Second Harvest Heartland provides to the community, is one of our main vehicles in spreading information about hunger in our neighborhoods.

Nancy, a retired professor of political science for 30 years at the University of St. Thomas, has been volunteering for Second Harvest Heartland for the last three years. In her volunteer role, Nancy not only participates in the Speakers Bureau but also answers phones for various food assistance programs, has represented Second Harvest Heartland at the Minneapolis Farmers Market, and has worked the registration table at Dish.

The connection between being a college professor and working with the Speakers Bureau is direct. “I’m accustomed to speaking in public and if not every member of the audience is totally fascinated with what I’m saying—well, I’m used to that. But, whether it’s political science or fighting hunger, if you are committed to your subject matter, talking about it is easy and rewarding,” said Nancy.

George also has a direct connection between his volunteer work and his profession as a consulting psychologist, executive coach and advisor, and adult educator. In addition to his role as a speaking ambassador, George utilizes his passion for leadership and personal development to work with the staff of Second Harvest Heartland in developing communication and leadership collaboration. He and his wife also donate to local food shelves on a regular basis, have been donors for many years and have even included Second Harvest Heartland into their estate plan.

No matter which way you choose or are able to volunteer, the end result is the same—feeling good for helping our hungry neighbors. “Working as a volunteer with Second Harvest Heartland has been so enriching for me—I have learned much from hungry people and from other volunteers. As an Ambassador, I am privileged to share the work of Second Harvest Heartland by talking with community, non-profit, and business groups. It is soulful and life-giving to partner with a food bank that truly feeds the hungry,” said George.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities for Second Harvest Heartland, visit here.