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

“At a time when Second Harvest has gone from helping about 250,000 people per month to over a half million, ” said Thomas Walker, who serves as Communication Director in the San José California South Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “The impact of these volunteers fighting food insecurity in Santa Clara County has been tremendous and continues to go strong.”

The second wave of COVID-19 cases in Santa Clara County has driven food insecurity to an all-time high in our community. Many people have found themselves without access to food or the means to put meals on the table for their family.

Volunteer groups provide essential support to local food banks and distribution centers and are crucial to ensure every person in need has access to a nutritious meal.

Volunteer duties typically include sorting fresh produce, canned goods, frozen meats, and preparing boxes of food for distribution to local families. Photo: Colin Robinson

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the organizations volunteering at Second Harvest of Silicon Valley food bank in preparing and distributing food to community members in need.

These volunteers consistently work eight shifts a week and surpassed 10,000 volunteer hours last month. By working together, consistent volunteer efforts can make a huge difference in the community and in the lives of those facing food insecurity in Santa Clara County.

Missionary volunteers on the morning of November 17, after completing 10,000 volunteer hours at Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley. Sisters, L-R: Ashley Peterson and Isabelle Harris. Elders, L-R: Jackson Farnsworth, Keagan Anderson, Parker Chapman, Xander Hunt, Kade Powell, Maguire Copeland, Dawson Peters, Samuel Webster, and Carson Myers. Photo: Tom Walker

“For those who are not in the coronavirus risk groups,” Walker added, “Volunteering at a time of global crisis lifts your spirits in powerful ways. When you are helping others, you forget your own worries and troubles.”

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley recognizes that the safety of their volunteers is a top priority. Santa Clara County volunteer organizations aim to provide a safe environment for all volunteers and continue to follow all recommended COVID-19 safety protocols, including mask-wearing, social distancing, and proper sanitation.

Volunteer needs do not end with the 2020 holiday season. Volunteers helping nonprofits distribute food necessities are allowed under the current stay-at-home order and they have been deemed ESSENTIAL workers by the State of California.

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

Sign up for a volunteer opportunity (below) or submit an application to volunteer at SV Strong: https://siliconvalleystrong.org/volunteer/

To find out how you can access food resources in your neighborhood, please visit bit.ly/SCCFoodMap. You can also visit siliconvalleystrong.org, call 2-1-1, a 24-hour multilingual service or text your zip code to "898211".

#SiliconValleyStrong #SJCares #KeepSJHealthy