Cd'A food bank seeks volunteers

Volunteers are needed at Community Action Partnership Food Bank in Coeur d’Alene.

There is a small hired staff, but the majority of the work is done by volunteers who give their time on a regular basis, said Nicol Barnes, the food bank’s program manager.

“We could not provide this life-saving resource without the help of our amazing volunteers,” Barnes said.

The food bank serves 1,000 to 1,400 people per week, distributing roughly 20,000 pounds of food to those clients.

Recently, the food bank’s “amazing volunteers” have been even more amazing, picking up the slack since the number of available helpers has dwindled. Many, who usually give their time for one or two shifts per week, are now coming in every day to help keep the program going.

“We don’t want to burn these people out,” Barnes said, adding many volunteers are older community members.

If some of the existing volunteers were to become unavailable due to illness or some other unexpected incident, the food bank would have a difficult time completing its daily operations and feeding the hungry.

With just two paid warehouse workers, volunteers are needed there, and they’re also needed to drive and help pick up food from six or seven locations each day.

Multiple positions and shifts are available. Most shifts are about four hours per week and require the ability to lift 20-30 pounds.

Those interested in volunteering at the food bank, or who would like more information, should call (208) 770-3018, or stop by the food bank, 4144 W. Industrial Loop, Coeur d’Alene, during business hours to fill out a volunteer application.

More information is also available by visiting the food bank’s Facebook page: m.facebook.com/ cap4action.