Chelsea Lowe is an Ambassador Volunteer for the Capital Area Food Bank. For more on our Ambassador Volunteer Program, click here.
While home for winter break from my sophomore year at the University of South Carolina, I decided to forego my usual activities which normally consist of being glued to the TV catching up on my latest shows, devouring home-cooked meals and generally basking in the comforts of home. Instead, I am spending my vacation working as a volunteer at the Capital Area Food Bank.
This week I had the opportunity of experiencing first-hand all of the hard work that goes into volunteering in the food bank’s distribution center. I was immediately greeted by David McCall, the “Salvage Coordinator,” who taught me all about the ins and outs of volunteering in the warehouse. His fast-paced tone and quick-moving demeanor made it obvious that he had a lot of experience in this position and was capable of reciting instructions multiple times an hour.
I, along with 20 to 30 other volunteers, stuffed boxes of food that will be distributed to 700 of the food bank’s partner agencies located throughout the region. As a first-timer, it was stunning to see the immense amount of food that is being distributed. From baking goods to massive boxes of produce, there was enough food to feed a small town. That is basically what the Capital Area Food Bank does, distributes annually 30 million pounds of food to 478,000 hungry people.
I soon realized that taking some time to volunteer goes farther than I ever imagined. Needless to say, contributing to the community is a much more comforting feeling than simply lying around on my living room couch all week. If you’re interested in making a difference, join me and, click here.