*This is a special feature from the City of San Jose, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services

“The Veggielution team has incorporated the volunteers so there is a wonderful “esprit de corps” energy helping to make the work easier and fun. Certainly, we all enjoy ourselves,” says Douglas King, a volunteer at Veggielution.

Veggielution volunteer Douglas King, has contributed to the community for more than a month. As a Campbell resident, King and his wife Yung began donating their time to Veggielution when the Covid-19 epidemic hit. The King’s took action and became volunteers, actively going to the facility several days a week, preparing food boxes for the needy.

King and his wife are both retired and as shelter in place began, they were easily able to shelter. However, they felt a need to help the community. “We feel our contribution effort keeps us connected to our entire community,” shares King.

As the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity in San José and across the Bay Area, nonprofit organizations, food banks and government officials are working to provide food assistance for residents. With the need for food assistance increasing, Veggielution has ramped up from a few hundred boxes to over a thousand boxes four days a week.

At the Veggielution food sorting/ packaging facility, many food items are processed to be delivered to families impacted by the pandemic. Veggielution, in a new partnership with Off the Grid, has been able to create a San José COVID Food Relief Program through the end of this year.

Working with Fresh Approach to Identify Local Farms, specifically BIPOC owned farms to supply organic fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and meats. For Veggielution, it is important to provide the highest quality of groceries for those who need it the most in San José.

Veggielution, like all of the organizations involved in public food security programs, follow strict CDC guidelines to protect their volunteers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Veggielution requires all volunteers in the facility to wear a mask and comply with social distancing requirements. In addition, they encourage you to dress appropriately for farm duties and bring your own water to stay hydrated.

Even with the new “Stay-At-Home” orders, Volunteers have been deemed “ESSENTIAL” by the State of California to help aid in packaging, distributing, and/or delivering meals at food banks and other public food security programs as part of the state’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.

ESSENTIAL VOLUNTEERS are now needed more than ever. If you have the time, volunteering is rewarding, makes you feel a part of a well-connected team and supports our community. “It is a powerful manifestation of our values and ethics,” shares King.

With the Holidays approaching, Veggielution and other non-profits are in need of volunteers to ensure our community stays fed. You can volunteer for Veggielution or a number of other organizations from the list below.

As as King earlier mentioned, “…there is a wonderful “esprit de corps” energy helping to make the work easier and fun!”

Volunteer opportunities can be found below or you may submit an application to volunteer at SV Strong: https://siliconvalleystrong.org/volunteer/

• FIRST 5 Santa Clara County - Childcare Kit Distribution
  • Make childcare diaper kits OR deliver kits to homes. 2 - 3 hour shifts Monday - Saturday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
  • Email Nishma Samat to sign up: nishma.samat@first5kids.org
• Veggielution - Pack farm boxes with fresh produce
  • Help pack fresh produce. Workdays are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at San Jose Conservation Corps & Charter School. Shifts are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (optional shorter shift)
  • Sign up at https://veggielution.org/volunteer
• Martha's Kitchen - Toy distribution
  • Help give away toys to children on 12/19, 12/20, or 12/21 during a 5-hour shift. 
  • Sign up at http://www.marthas-kitchen.org/ or email to sign up: volunteers@marthas-kitchen.org
• The Salvation Army, Silicon Valley - Food Distribution
  • Loading cars for food box distribution or checking in individuals and families arriving for food pick-up.
  • Sign up at https://volunteer.usawest.org/OpportunityListPage.aspx
• Second Harvest of Silicon Valley - Food Distribution
  • Help with various food distribution like sorting food in the warehouse or delivering food to homes. 
  • Sign up at https://www.shfb.org/give-help/volunteer/

Each nonprofit organization will be able to provide information about their COVID-19 compliance policies and procedures. #SiliconValleyStrong

To find out how you can access food resources in your neighborhood, please visit bit.ly/SCCFoodMap.

#SiliconValleyStrong #SJCares #KeepSJHealthy