Harvesters - The Community Food Network is a fantastic organization that Azura has been proud to partner with through our Community Impact Debit Card program, our associate volunteering efforts and various grants and donations throughout the years.
One of the most powerful tools that Harvesters relies on is their volunteers! With over 96,625 volunteer hours in 2020, this food bank would not be able to make the lasting and important impact it makes each day throughout Northeast Kansas and Missouri without volunteers. We caught up with Amy Pinger, Senior Community Engagement Manager/AmeriCorps Program Director at Harvesters to learn more.
Tell us about your organization
Harvesters’ mission is to feed hungry people today and work to end hunger tomorrow. We are a regional food bank serving a 26-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas.
Harvesters provides food and related household products to more than 760 nonprofit agencies including emergency food pantries, community kitchens, homeless shelters, children’s homes and others. We also offer education programs to increase community awareness of hunger and teach about good nutrition.
Harvesters' main facility is located in Kansas City, Missouri at 3801 Topping Ave. Harvesters also operates a second facility in Topeka, Kansas at 215 E. Quincy St. Harvesters is a certified member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks.
In 2011, Harvesters was Feeding America’s Food Bank of the Year. We are a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Harvesters also is a regional disaster-relief staging site for Feeding America. We are prepared to distribute food, water and cleaning supplies to disaster sites on short notice.
Do you offer volunteer opportunities?
Harvesters is so grateful for the work of our volunteers, who bring their hearts and hands to the job of feeding hungry people! We could not feed 141,500 people every month without the dedication and service of our volunteers. Hours spent sorting food, assisting at special events or providing professional service equate to the work of an additional 70 full-time employees.
The Topeka warehouse hosts 7 shifts each week, during COVID-19 these shifts are limited to ten volunteers per shift:
- Tuesday - 1 to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday - 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.
- Friday - 9 to 11 a.m.
- Saturday - 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.
How are volunteers keeping safe during the pandemic?
COVID-19 Volunteer Safety Updates- All Harvesters volunteers must be 18 years or older and must wear a mask at all times.
- Social distancing practices will be implemented to keep volunteers a safe distance from each other.
- Upon arrival, all volunteers will be asked to sign a waiver before beginning.
- Anyone who has traveled or are currently showing any signs of illness, will be asked to leave the facility and not return before 14 days have passed.
What might one opportunity look like for someone who is interested in volunteering?
The Volunteer Engagement Center (VEC) is a vital part of Harvesters’ mission to feed hungry people today and work to end hunger tomorrow. In this area, volunteers sort and repack food, which assists Harvesters in feeding more than 141,500 people each month. Volunteer tasks are assigned based on product availability and project prioritization.
Opportunities include:- Sorting fresh produce
- Sorting and boxing bread
- Packing BackSnacks
- Packing Senior Commodity Food Boxes
How important are volunteers to your organization?
Harvesters relies on the support of our communities to meet the needs of hungry people in our service area. We rely on our volunteers to help sort food and perform other duties in our facilities.
How do community members sign up to volunteer?
It's easy to sign up! Simply visit www.harvesters.org/givetime
Those in Topeka can also email us or call us at: fighthunger@harvesters.org or 785.861.7750
Those in Kansas City can email or call us at: getinvolved@harvesters.org or 816.929.3090
Azura members can give back to Harvesters with every swipe of their Community Impact debit card - learn more now!
