The Gift of Time
NTFB volunteers donated more than 98,000 hours in FY24 .
Each of NTFB ’ s volunteer shifts is led by a Volunteer Kernel , or a regular volunteer who ’ s trained to lead other volunteers . In FY24 , NTFB had 43 kernels who donated 11,912 hours , plus a group of student Junior Kernels who gave more than 2,000 hours over the summer . There were also 10 garden Kernels who gave 569 hours in Jan ’ s Garden .
“ I ’ ve lived a life of abundance and so it ’ s important to me to try to help others .”
Kernel Mark Orland not only gives time in NTFB ’ s warehouse , but he also volunteers regularly during Commodity Supplemental Food Program ( CSFP ) senior box distributions . A retired IT professional , Mark says he ’ s found a new calling .
“ It really kind of brings it all home when you see people receiving the food . That ’ s what always touches me . There are so many people , especially in the senior program , who live very close to the line and the food is very important to them and they ’ re just very appreciative ,” he says . “ I ’ ve lived a life of abundance and so it ’ s important to me to try to help others .”
Repack Room A project developed by NTFB ’ s 2022 Emerging Leaders class , the Repack Room opened in FY24 and ensures NTFB can maximize its resources by purchasing large quantities of rice , beans and other goods . It also prevents the Food Bank from ever having to turn away bulk donations of dry goods .
Inside the clean room ( pictured above ), up to 12 volunteers take large quantities of dry goods , such as rice , pinto beans or pasta , and repackage them into 1-pound bags that can be ordered by NTFB ’ s feeding partners and provided to neighbors . Once packed into smaller bags , volunteers seal and label them before placing them into boxes for distribution .
Kernel Mark Orland
Page 14 Annual Report 2024