Volunteering In Food Pantries

Hunger has always been a serious issue and still is today. Many people experience food insecurity and feel shameful when going to food pantries or seeking assistance. We can reduce the negative stigma associated with food pantries in numerous ways. First spreading awareness of the need for food pantries will help change the stigma as people realize that the need is real. Then educating the public on the number of people in need of the food pantries because of their struggle with food insecurity will show how prevalent the need has become. Most of all volunteering in food pantries is a firsthand way to get involved and reduce the negative feeling associated with the need for assistance. These few things will be a great start in reducing the
By giving your time and showing compassion for the people in need you will help them to feel comfortable getting the assistance that is so necessary to their survival and health. Volunteering is a way to help that has the ability to give back. There are many great benefits to volunteer work, and not only by helping people in need. According to Shayla in Benefits of Volunteering in College, volunteering can also "build your network", "strengthen your resume", and of course give you the knowledge to better understand the people you are giving your time to (Shayla). Building your network will be a vital part of life when trying to find jobs, internships, and make business connections. People you meet through volunteering have the ability to forever affect your life and may well continue to be a part of your life for years to come. What better place to meet people who share the same drive to help others as you do than at an organization who helps feed Americans in need? These hours will not go unnoticed on your resume either. "Scholarship committees love to learn how youth are helping their communities." These hours will not only be valued by the people they help, as you spend time helping others your outlook on life is changed by the skills and real life experience you gain from it. While giving your time you will see that people who are in need are no different from
Increasing the awareness of the food insecurities that create the need for food pantries will, in turn, lessen the stigma surrounding them. Knowing that the need for assistance with food securities is a common problem shared by a large part of our population will help them to not feel alone in their struggle and increase the likely hood that they will seek the help of the food pantries. Volunteering at a food pantry makes it possible to personally help relieve the stigma, making those in need feel comfortable knowing that people care and there is help available. Reducing the unneeded shame associated with the need for food will help more people be willing to utilize the food banks to meet their dietary