Celebrating National Volunteer Appreciation Month
Meredith Knopp
I remember when I left the “for-profit” world in 2007, and one of my dear friends expressed surprise, questioning my move to a non-profit. She felt my non-profit job would be too cushy, and that I wouldn’t be challenged. I felt like it would challenge me in new ways, and my sense of purpose tank, which had been empty for quite some time, was telling me that working at a non-profit was the best choice for me. Honestly, working at a non-profit was the only choice if I ever hoped to feel like what I was doing truly mattered.
My drive to work at a non-profit mirrors the motivations of our volunteers: a shared pursuit of deeper purpose and belonging. We both want to know our actions matter and that we can make an impact. While our society is highly connected digitally, creating genuine personal connections and a community of shared values in this digital age can often feel out of reach. Choosing to volunteer at the St. Louis Area Foodbank is a purposeful investment of time and energy, a decision to put the needs of others before our own and actively contribute to alleviating hunger. This choice opens doors to meeting new people, developing friendships, and being part of something bigger, beyond simply passing time. Despite having busy lives and time constraints, our volunteers generously offer their valuable time, hope, and compassion, allowing us to collectively effect change. For this, and for their dedication to making a difference in the lives of local individuals and families, I am extremely grateful.
April is National Volunteer Month, and volunteers are our lifeblood here at the St. Louis Area Foodbank. We simply could not do what we do without them. The math simply does not work. There is no way that our mighty staff of 87 people (and I mean mighty—they are absolute ROCK STARS!) could do all the work that we do without the muscle, energy, and commitment of our volunteers. Together, we are able to process and distribute tens of millions of pounds of food across 26 counties in 2 states.
What do I mean when I say our volunteers are our difference makers? Well, I could tell and share stories for days about volunteers of all ages who come to our facility in Bridgeton to help us sort and pack food – especially fresh produce. I could share stories of volunteers out in the community who travel with our award-winning Food on the Move program – bringing food to families who are food insecure and struggle with access and transportation. I could tell you stories of volunteers who travel across our 26 counties or show up in their own counties to distribute food in a drive-through model with our F.A.R.M.S. programs. The impact they are making is incredible, serving around 500 people per distribution at each of our 52 monthly events. The stories are real, and their impact is game-changing. The food and hope that they provide each and every day is a gift to both our neighbors who are on the receiving end and to us, as team members, blessed to call the St. Louis Area Foodbank home. I also know that many of you who read this blog like numbers to quantify the impact, so here are some numbers that will articulate the impact of these hunger heroes.
From July 1st – February 28th this year, volunteers have donated 63,318 hours to support the mission and work of the St. Louis Area Foodbank. The Independent Sector and the Do Good Institute annually place a “value” on a volunteer hour – based on a myriad of data and research. In 2024, that value was $33.49 per hour. So, let’s solve that equation here –
63,318 hours x $33.49/hour = $2,120,519.82.
In the first eight months of our fiscal year, our amazing army of volunteers served enough volunteer hours to have an impact of over $2.1 MILLION. Anyone who runs a business, nonprofit or for-profit, can see the value here. It is incredible and mind-blowing. And we still have four more months of our fiscal year to go!
So, this month, I want to give a huge shout-out to our volunteers. The men, women, and children who are part of the St. Louis Area Foodbank family. You are our “Hunger Heroes,” and we are so deeply grateful and humbled that you CHOOSE to volunteer your time with us in a city filled with amazing organizations. Your energy and impact, in our view, are priceless, and we want to celebrate you, thank you, and let you know how much we appreciate you each and every day!
As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, I am constantly reminded of some of the most infamous quotes about volunteering:
“What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good” – Aristotle
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention” – Oscar Wilde
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Cheers and THANK YOU to everyone who volunteers to make our community a better place for all. And for those looking to turn intentions into action we would be honored to have you join us by visiting:
https://stlfoodbank.org/give-time/volunteer-opportunities/
