The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is seeking student volunteers.
“We really rely heavily on our volunteer force,” said Denice Hurlbut, associate director of volunteerism. “We had 34,000 people come and support us this past year and we are so grateful for their time.”
In 2015, the Regional Food Bank distributed 49.9 million pounds of food to an estimated 116,000 Oklahomans.
Volunteers can sign up to volunteer on the Regional Food Bank website. Students can sign up individually or as a group of five or more. To register, you must be 18 or older or signed up by a guardian.
When registering, volunteers can choose from
- stocking food,
- bagging and boxing food products,
- assembling meals for the food banks “Kid’s Café,”
- assisting clients or
- gardening in the Urban Harvest garden.
Time slots are scheduled throughout the week and are listed on the website. Morning times are from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and the afternoon shifts are from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Evening shifts are sometimes available after 6 p.m.
“It was a great way to give back to someone else and it was nice that my friends could be involved,” said Kelsey Simmons, mass communications sophomore. “It’s sad how many people go to sleep hungry.”
Students also may volunteer at a food resource located in Moore and mobile pantries which move around to various parts of the city.
“Volunteering in your community is a great experience,” said Hunter Swink, marketing senior. “I used to volunteer to provide meals at the homeless shelter. It’s nice to see people up close who are in need and interact with them, knowing that I am making a difference.”
Students can also complete their service-learning hours by volunteering with the food bank.
For more information or to register for a volunteer shift, visit the food bank’s website, email them at volunteer@regionalfoodbank.org or call 405-600-3161.
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